Gardaí are expected to immediately begin the preliminary phase of a major security operation around the funeral of murdered dissident republican Vinnie Ryan.
The remains of the 25-year-old from north Dublin have been released to his family four days after he was gunned down in Finglas, north Dublin, in a gangland-style attack.
His funeral, which is due to take place next Tuesday, is regarded as sensitive for the Garda because the dead man’s associates may attempt to put in place a show of paramilitary strength.
If the Garda intervenes or closely polices the funeral in a bid to frustrate or deter any such plans a serious public order flashpoint could erupt.
However, if the security operation retains what sources described as a “respectful distance” from the funeral proceedings and paramilitary trappings are in evidence the Garda would be criticised for failing to stop it.
Ryan, a father of one, was gunned down as he sat in a car outside his partner’s family home on McKee Rd, Finglas, on Monday.
From Donaghmede, north Dublin, his remains will repose at his parent's home on Monday evening. His funeral mass has been set for 10am on Tuesday at the local Church of the Holy Trinity followed by burial at Fingal Cemetery.
Gardaí are expected to take up positions in the area around the Ryan home as early as Friday with a view to deterring any paramilitary show of strength before the wake or funeral.
A significant security operation is also anticipated through the weekend and next Monday and Tuesday.
The force was subjected to widespread criticism for its handling of the funeral of Ryan's brother Alan Ryan 3½ years ago.
On that occasion, in September 2012, the Garda said it had been given assurances by the Ryan family there would be no paramilitary show of strength at the funeral and did not closely police it.
However, Alan Ryan was a leading figure in Dublin in the Real IRA and his funeral was attended by a small group of men and women dressed in full paramilitary gear, or “colour guard” combat dress, and shots were fired over his coffin.
Alan Ryan had been a leading figure in the Real IRA’s efforts to extort money from drugs gangs in Dublin. He was murdered by what was effectively a coalition of those within the organised crime fraternity, with two armed robbers and drug dealers presiding over the conspiracy.
One of those men is also the chief suspect for ordering the murder of Vincent Ryan. Gardaí are hopeful the failure of any paramilitary group to claim Vincent Ryan as a member, unlike his brother, may mean his funeral passes off without incident.
The Garda has reiterated its appeal for anyone who may have seen the getaway car used by Ryan’s killers to come forward.
The murder investigation team is keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the silver VW Golf 07-KE-10213 between October 13th last year and the afternoon of Ryan’s murder.
The car was stolen during a burglary on October 13th last at Cluaindara, Derrinstown, Co Kildare. It was found burnt out at Red Lane, Newhall, Naas, last Monday after Ryan was shot dead.
