Garda want to speak to people in pub during 2008 murder

Gardaí gave issued an appeal on the 'cold case' murder of Paul Martin (39) who was fatally murdered nine years ago.

Paul was in the Jolly Toper pub on Church Street, Finglas, Dublin 11 on August 23, 2008 when two masked and armed men entered the pub and fatally shot him.

He was pronounced dead a short time later in hospital.

To date, seven persons have been arrested, over 800 lines of investigative enquiry have been opened and over 410 witness statements have been recorded.

Gardai say this murder investigation is still very much ongoing and will remain so.

Gardaí were appealing to any person who was present in the Jolly Toper Public House (also known as the Village Inn), Church Street, Finglas, Dublin 11 at the time of the shooting, dated the 23rd of August 2008, between the hours 16.30 and 19.30 – who have not yet made themselves known to Gardaí or who, for whatever reason, were unable to make themselves available to Gardaí at the material time.

Gardaí were appealing to any person who observed a black Mercedes ML 270 diesel jeep, bearing a false registration plate to wit, 01 L 2272, arriving at the Jolly Toper Public House.

It then left the Jolly Toper Public House following the shooting and travelled onto N2, at the Casement Roundabout - took 3rd exit onto St Margaret's Road and then into Hamptonwood Green.

The said jeep was stolen from Donaguile, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny between the 6th and 7th of September 2007 – the real registration number was 02KE3946.

There was no sighting of this car from that date until the shooting, 23rd of August 2008.

At approximately 7pm, on the 23rd of August 2008, following the shooting of Paul Martin the Mercedes jeep, as previously described, was discovered on fire at Hamptonwood Green, Finglas, Dublin 11.

Gardaí appealed to any member of the public with information concerning this to contact them immediately.

Gardaí appealed to any member of the public who may have seen a silver car, not better described, acting suspiciously following the destruction of the Mercedes jeep by fire in Hamptonwood Green. Gardaí appealed to all members of the public with related information to contact An Garda Síochána – notwithstanding the passage of time, all associated information would be welcomed by members attached to the investigation team.

Gardaí at Finglas Garda Station are investigating. Contact: (01) 666 7500.