The pub where Eamon Dunne was killed

This is the site where Irish crime boss Eamon Dunne was killed.

It is located at 2A Faussagh Avenue in Cabra, Dublin.

In April 2010, masked gunmen walked into this pub and shot Dunne several times.

At the time of the shooting, it was known as the Faussagh House. Following the murder, it was renamed Matt's of Cabra.

Currently, the site is derelict.

Background

The Irish media often referred to Dunne as "The Don."

He assumed control of a criminal organization in northwest Dublin following the 2006 murder of his former associate, Martin "Marlo" Hyland. Dunne was widely suspected by Gardaí of playing a key role in the killing.

As a boss, he quickly gained a reputation for being ruthless and paranoid.

Investigators believe he ordered the murder of his lieutenant, Graham McNally, in January 2009, because he feared McNally was plotting against him.

During the late 2000s, Dunne was linked to more than a dozen gangland killings. Rivals and anyone suspected of being an informant reportedly became targets.

The escalating violence brought increased police attention, which disrupted the local drug trade.

Dunne's associates grew concerned about his heavy cocaine use and increasing paranoia, as they feared that he would eventually turn on them.

In the months leading up to his death, his erratic behavior intensified. He also started extorting money from other criminal figures and boasting of having affairs with their partners.

Decision

In February 2010, the Kinahan gang in Spain reportedly sought to restore order to the Dublin underworld.

At the time, the group was supplying Dunne with drugs. However, his behavior was negatively impacting operations and causing instability.

To quell the turmoil, the Kinahans and criminal figures in Dublin reportedly came to an agreement.

Dunne needed to go.

Murder

On Friday, April 23, 2010, Dunne attended a friend's birthday party at this pub in Cabra.

His 17-year-old daughter and his associates were also in attendance.

Shortly after 10 p.m., a vehicle carrying four masked men pulled up outside the pub. Two of the men ran into the building and headed directly to Dunne's table at the back.

Witnesses noted that Dunne's associates did not attempt to warn him or intervene.

When Dunne realized what was happening, he reportedly grabbed a young Chinese staff member and tried to use him as a shield.

Moments later, he let the boy go and tried to run towards an exit.

As Dunne attempted to flee, one of the gunmen reportedly shouted, "You're not so tough now!" before shooting him multiple times.

When he fell to the floor, the gunman walked over and fired a final shot into his head.

Detectives believe someone inside the pub texted Dunne's location to the hitmen, as they knew exactly where he was sitting.

Eamon Dunne

Despite his violent reputation, Dunne was described as educated and soft-spoken.

When interacting with the Gardaí, he would take photographs of them and record their conversations on a Dictaphone.

He faced charges of false imprisonment in 2002 after a man was found bound and gagged in the boot of his car. The case was later dropped after the man refused to testify.

That same year, Gardaí found Dunne in possession of a significant quantity of cocaine and ecstasy at a house in Finglas. He managed to stall the case for years with a legal challenge that reached the Supreme Court, but he eventually lost.

The trial was scheduled to begin just one month after he was shot dead.

Dunne was reportedly aware of threats to his life, having received official warnings from Gardaí. Consequently, he wore a bulletproof vest at all times.

His father tried to persuade him to quit the criminal world, but Dunne felt he was too deeply involved to walk away.

By late 2009, he had planned his own funeral and even set aside money so that mourners could have free drinks.

Following Dunne's death, it was reported that his associates did not attend his funeral or offer condolences to his family.

Two men in their twenties were arrested in connection with the crime, but both were released without charge.

Dunne's murder remains unsolved.