Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Sean McCarthaigh

Man shot dead in possible case of mistaken identity in Dublin after swapping coats with another man


A man shot dead in a possible case of mistaken identity had swapped jackets with another person just before they left a pub, an inquest heard yesterday.

Dean Johnson, who was 21, was hit several times by two gunmen at Harelawn Green, Clondalkin, West Dublin, a short distance from his home shortly after midnight on August 24, 2013.

His mother Betty told Dublin District Coroner’s Court she understood one of the people with her son on the night had swapped their coat in The Finches in Clondalkin.

Read More: Met Eireann ‘soft heatwave’ verdict as weather maps show 24C warm blast imminent

Witness Joanna Murphy, who had been visiting her mother, told the inquest how she went outside after hearing noises which she initially thought were bangers and saw Mr Johnson being shot in the head.

DON'T MISS:

Paul O'Grady's cause of death confirmed after star died 'unexpectedly' at 67

Maths genius who's won €15m for horse racing fans picks out 66/1 shot for Aintree Grand National

RTE viewers surprised as Hozier's Late Late interview takes a bizarre turn

While she was attending to the deceased, she said another male came up to her and had remarked that “the shots were for him”.

Taxi driver David Ryan said he heard “popping noises” as he was driving his taxi on Neilstown Road before he saw two young men running on either side of the road.

He saw two figures near the pub firing guns towards the ground. One fired up to five rounds before stopping and firing several more shots, while his accomplice shot at least four times.

Dean Johnson's parents Elizabeth and Larry pictured leaving the inquest hearing at Richmond coroners court in Dublin on April 14, 2023 (Collins Photo Agency)

Mr Ryan, who called 999, claimed the attackers made sure their target was “not going to get up”.

The inquest heard Mr Johnson had been drinking since 11am and was refused entry to The Finches at 11.30pm.

His pal David Gilligan, who was inside, admitted he could not remember much as he was “so locked”, but said Mr Johnson and another person left for a club.

The witness said they started “legging” it after two men appeared behind them and a man in a balaclava pointed something at them.

Mr Gilligan said he heard shots as they were running and then realised Dean was not with them.

The victim’s older brother Andrew gave evidence of identifying his brother’s body at Tallaght Hospital and said he had last seen him a few days beforehand when he appeared happy and “full of energy”.

Detective Inspector Brian Hanley told the hearing the case remained open and he hoped there would be “further investigative opportunities”.

The inquest heard 10 people had been arrested and a file was sent to the DPP in 2016, who directed no charges should follow.

Det Insp Hanley said a second file was sent last year but had the same result.

A jury of five women and one man returned a verdict of unlawful killing by persons unknown.

READ NEXT:

Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here

READ MORE:    Family steal theatre seats from group at bar before 'satisfying moment of karma' kicks in
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.