Gardai believe that the murder of a Dublin taxi-driver early yesterday morning might have been linked to another serious crime more than a year ago.
Mr John Dillon (53) was found dead in the porch of his home in Finglas at about 5 a.m. when his taxi partner arrived to hand over the car. At least three empty cartridges from what is thought to have been a pump-action shotgun were found near the body.
Mr Dillon is thought to have died instantly when he was shot at close range more than once in the head, causing massive injuries.
The shooting is believed to have happened at about midnight when Mr Dillon answered a call to his door at Glenties Park. Shots were heard locally at about that time. Mr Dillon worked from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the other driver using the taxi for the night shift.
Mr Dillon, who shared the house with his son, was alone at the time as his son was on holiday. He had been separated from his wife for some time and had three other grown-up children.
He had been arrested and questioned in relation to a serious crime last year. He was released without charge. Mr Dillon had lived in the area for 25 years, neighbours said, moving into the house when it was first built.
On the night of the murder, the Garda helicopter was circling the area, having been called out to search for a stolen car being driven around the estates at about 11.15 p.m. However, the helicopter chase, which resulted in the arrest of two youths, was concentrated around the Cabra side of Finglas.
Garda patrol cars were also in the area on the lookout for stolen cars.
Mr Dillon's killer may have taken advantage of the fact that local gardai were involved in dealing with the stolen car situation.
Neighbours described Mr Dillon as a man who "kept to himself". One woman said: "There'll be a lot of things said about him around here, but he was a good neighbour".
Mr Dillon's family were being interviewed by gardai yesterday to ascertain whether he had received any threats. He had been working as a taxi-driver for about 10 years.
The murder is the seventh killing in the area in the last 12 months. Last night gardai appealed for anyone who saw anything in the area to contact them.
