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Drug war feared after gang-style execution in city

GARDAI have warned of possible retaliatory attacks after the gangland-style killing of a suspected drug dealer in Cork.

Darren Falsey (37) was shot after his killer staked out his Carrigaline home and waited for his partner and children to leave.

Falsey -- who was a native of Waterfall but had been living in Carrigaline for more than three years -- was linked with a major drugs gang on Cork's southside.

Gardai are now worried that, if his execution-style killing was ordered by a rival gang over a territorial dispute, the city could face the threat of retaliatory attacks.

However, another theory being considered is that the shooting may be linked to a row about a drug debt and that Mr Falsey not only knew his killer but unwittingly allowed him into his home.

One garda source told the Herald that there is no indication the killing is linked to any Cork-Limerick gang feud.

The killing bears striking similarities to the five previous gangland-style murders in Cork including Gerard 'Topper' Staunton (2010), David 'Boogie' Brett (2007), Eric Cummins (2005), Kieran O'Flynn (2001) and Michael Crinnion (1995).

Mr Falsey was discovered by his partner lying in a pool of blood in his rented Ashbourne Court home in Carrigaline, Co Cork at 3pm yesterday.

He sustained at least two gunshot wounds at close range and was dead when he was discovered.

His partner had left the house shortly before 1pm to go shopping in Carrigaline -- and the killer struck once they were sure Mr Falsey was alone in the house.

The woman and Mr Falsey's children were today being comforted by relatives and friends.

Togher Gardai launched a murder investigation but stressed they are keeping an open mind about the precise motive behind the killing.

The victim was described by Carrigaline neighbours as quiet, friendly and well known for his interest in sports.

"I knew he was really into football and I'd see him every so often down town going into the bookies or calling into the pub when a big match was on. But he was a nice enough fella," one neighbour said.

Another woman said the family were friendly but largely kept to themselves -- and that Mr Falsey was devoted to his children and could regularly be seen playing with them in the garden.

Gardai commenced door-to-door inquiries to determine if anyone heard or spotted anything suspicious between 1pm and 3pm yesterday when the shooting is believed to have occurred.

Inspector Billy Duane appealed to anyone with information, no matter how trivial, to contact gardai.

"Any piece of information may be vital and we particularly would like to talk to anyone who was walking or driving in the Ashbourne Court or Ferney (Road) areas at the time," he told the Herald.

Cllr Tim Lombard said the entire Carrigaline area was stunned by the killing.

"This is a town of 20,000 people and this is the first time in living memory that anything like this has ever happened here. So people are very shocked," he said.

The area was sealed off at 3pm and technical bureau experts later conducted a detailed examination of both the house and gardens.

No firearm was recovered from the scene and gardai are still trying to determine the type of vehicle used by the killer to flee the area.

Gardai are also examining CCTV security camera footage from business premises in the area to try to determine vehicles movements at the time the killing occurred.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Togher Gardai at (021) 4947120 or the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666111.