Criminal Mark ‘Guinea Pig’ Desmond was brutally gunned down in the Lucan area of west Dublin last night. The shooting occurred at Griffeen Valley Park after 8pm.
He was bluntly described by a neighbour this morning as a “scumbag who will not be missed”.
âIt was just like three bangs â pop, pop, pop,â said a local and witness.
âI didnât really pay attention to it because there is a skateboard park just there.”
Another witness described how GardaĂ were helping a youth who was “looking traumatised” into a Garda car.
âThere was about 50 cops in here within minutes, they were looking everywhere,â the witness said.
âIt just doesnât happen around here,â said another local.
A burnt out car was discovered nearby, but it is not yet understood if the car had been used in connection to the killing.
Desmond was very well known to GardaĂ, having previously been linked to the murders of Darren Carey and Patrick Murray in 2000.
He was charged with the double murder but the charges were later dropped by the DPP.
He is also a suspect in the murders of Anthony Cannon and James Kenny McDonagh and was questioned over the rape of a 15-year-old boy back in 2002.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has condemned the brutal attack, âwhich is another reminder of the callous disregard for human life displayed by people intent on murder and mayhemâ.
GardaĂ are appealing for anyone with information or who was in the area between 7pm and 9pm to contact Lucan Garda station at (01) 666 7300.