IRA linked to murder of drug dealer
The Provisional IRA may have shot dead a drug dealer in Northern Ireland, it was claimed tonight.
Senior security sources have linked republican paramilitaries to the murder of Matthew Burns, 26, who had survived two previous attempt on his life.
He was gunned down as he travelled with his brother Patrick in a car along Burrenbridge Road, Castlewellan, Co Down.
No organisation has claimed responsibility for the shooting, in which the dead man’s brother was also injured.
But detectives have not ruled out the possibility that the provisionals were responsible.
Using the cover name of Direct Action Against Drugs (DAAD), the IRA have carried out several assassinations.
Police investigating last night’s murder also believe top republicans had been brought in from Belfast.
‘‘I suspect it was part of the whole DAAD thing,’’ one senior security source said.
Patrick Burns, who was driving the white Toyota, was taken to hospital suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest and arm. He was tonight in a stable condition.
The dead man, who had recently become a father, was a well known local drug dealer who had been attacked in the past, according to sources.
The murder sparked grave concern among unionists that republicans were still intent on a murder campaign.
Dermot Nesbitt, an Ulster Unionist Assembly member for the area, said: ‘‘It seems to be a republican element and that’s worrying. I thought we were endeavouring to leave this behind us.’’
His condemnation was echoed by Northern Ireland security minister Jane Kennedy, who said: ‘‘This is an outrageous and murderous attack for which there can be no justification.’’
The killers fired at point-blank range into the passenger side of the car, hitting Matthew Burns in the back. He died at the scene, just yards from the family home on the Burrenbridge Estate.
Assistant Chief Constable Stephen White said the attack was well-planned.
But everything would be done to catch the killers, he said, adding: ‘‘Whatever the motive behind it, nothing justifies the murder of a young man.’’
According to one source, Mr Burns, a kickboxer, was attacked by a group of men a few years ago but got the better of them using his martial arts skills.
The most recent attack took place last summer when a bomb was placed on his car, injuring his girlfriend.
Eammon O’Neill, an SDLP Assemblyman said he believed republicans were behind the murder.
‘‘It is absolutely disgraceful that anybody should attempt to take the law into their own hands and be judge, jury and executioner.
‘‘It flies in the face of all that we can expect to come from the Good Friday Agreement.’’
Despite suspicions that the Provisional IRA carried out the shooting, a Sinn Fein member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the area rejected the claims.
South Down MLA Mick Murphy said: ‘‘As far as I am concerned I’m 100% sure there was no mainstream involvement.’’
