GARDAI believe this young man was lured to an apartment and shot dead over a drug debt.
The body of Ballymun native Sean McCarthy (28) was discovered in an apartment in Drumcondra, in Dublin, on Saturday night - after he had been missing for five days.
Officers are now set to launch a murder investigation after Mr McCarthy was discovered with gunshot wounds inside the home on Achill Road. It is feared that he could have lain dead at the apartment for several days before being discovered.
Read more: Search for missing person stood down after discovery of body in Drumcondra
The shocking discovery came after Gardai put out a missing persons appeal for McCarthy who had not been seen since last Tuesday. His family had earlier stated that his vanishing was out of the blue and it was “not like him” to not make contact.
And last night a man was in garda custody for questioning over the horrific killing - after officers arrested him at an address in Ballymun. The man is believed to have been known to McCarthy and is suspected to have been in a dispute with him.
It is understood that gardai believe McCarthy was lured to the apartment in Drumcondra to settle an ongoing drug-debt dispute he had with a man known to him.
Gardai suspect the row had turned increasingly tense in the days prior to the killing - and that McCarthy may have tried to meet with the man to settle the dispute over the drug debt after being invited.
Instead, he was shot dead in the apartment - and the murder weapon is believed subsequently to have been dumped in a nearby canal. Officers suspect that McCarthy could have lain dead ever since last week - and that the killer then attempted to cover up his tracks by dumping the weapon.
Yesterday, the Garda sub aqua unit searched for the gun in the Tolka river near Griffith Park. Officers also trawled the Royal Canal near Phibsboro.
Read more: Son of notorious killer threatens to 'cut up' Dublin barman
It followed searches during the week which included the Garda helicopter hovering in the skies. Fears had been mounting throughout last week that McCarthy may have been murdered after he failed to make contact with family and friends for days.
As the news emerged of McCarthy’s death, tributes poured out on social media yesterday.
“Absolutely no words, just shocking Sean Mccarthy rest in perfect paradise,” one friend wrote.
“Look over your family and friends at this devastating time they need it, hold your loved ones extra tight you just don’t no when there last words to you are rest in peace BIG MAC.”
Another pal wrote: “Thinking of my friend Nicole and the McCarthy/Duffy family at this devastating time.
“You couldn’t be around Sean Mccarthy without a giggle the life & soul of any party R.i.P Sean you won’t be forgotten.”
In a statement following the discovery of the body, gardai said they were investigating “all of the circumstances” surrounding the death.
“The deceased was discovered by Gardaí in an apartment on Achill Road, Drumcondra, on Saturday evening. His body remains at the scene, which is currently preserved for forensic and technical examination.
“The office of the State Pathologist and Garda Technical Bureau have been notified and a post-mortem examination will be arranged,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“An area of Griffith Park, Drumcondra has also been sealed off as part of the investigation.
“A man aged in his 30s has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 in a north Dublin Garda Station. He can be detained for up to seven days.”
Read next:
Massive amount of heroin and cannabis seized in south Dublin
Dalymount Park redevelopment may be 'unviable' as cost skyrockets to €52 million
Recession Ireland: Top economist warns 'creeping' recession will hit Ireland
Rise in stolen cars over weekend causes 'huge distress' in Dublin suburb
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
