Killer dealer main suspect in city kidnap

Ken Foy and Conor Feehan

THE criminal who is suspected of ordering the beating and kidnapping of a Dublin man is a notorious drug dealer with a conviction for manslaughter.

Nothing has been heard from Ciaran Noonan since he was brutally attacked and bundled into the back of a black Volkswagen Golf after visiting his aunt's house in the East Wall area of Dublin.

It is understood that the 29-year-old was targeted because he owes the notorious Swords based drug dealer €20,000.

Officers have been working on the theory that this dealer then paid a gang of youths to attack and abduct Mr Noonan.

Gardai investigating last Thursday's sinister crime seized the car that they believe was used in the abduction in the early hours of yesterday morning at a location in Co Meath.

Sources said that blood was found on the back seat of the vehicle but there was no sign of Mr Noonan.

Gardai had issued the full registration of the vehicle used in the abduction -- 05-D-88805 -- over the weekend and appealed for anyone who may have seen it to come forward. But they cautioned people against approaching it or anyone inside the car.

Speaking to the Herald today, Mr Noonan's heartbroken mum Geraldine said she had only had two hours sleep since getting the news that her son had been kidnapped.

"It's been so long now -- it's heartbreaking. Whoever is responsible does not even have the decency to tell me where he is," Geraldine said.

"I just feel completely devastated and very numb at this stage," she added.

Ciaran was abducted from Russell Avenue East, off the East Wall Road, shortly after 4.30pm on Thursday.

He had been walking with a cousin, who has no criminal links, when the VW Golf pulled alongside and three occupants jumped out.

Mr Noonan ran and attempted to hide in a nearby garden but he was found and badly assaulted with an iron bar as he was being dragged to the car.

He was then bundled into the vehicle, which sped off.

The incident was seen by a group of children and they notified a local woman, who alerted the gardai.

Detectives suspect he owed money to a drug trafficker who has a reputation for violence.

This man in his 40s is originally from the Coolock area and has many senior criminal contacts after spending a lengthy spell in prison.

hnews@herald.ie