26.01.09 - 13:41 -
An observor at the spot where the man died in Calle Alemania. / M. C. JAIME
The shooting happened just after 11 on Saturday night in Calle Alemania in Benalmádena, next to the old N-340 road. It appears that the victim was having a drink with a relative and two friends in an Irish bar in the area. He said goodnight to them, left the bar and when he went outside he was approached by an individual who started to shoot him.
In the first instance the Irishman was shot twice then he tried to get away but he was only able to make it a few metres before he fell to the ground. At this point the attacker went up to the victim and shot him again at least four times and once in the face, according to sources close to the case.
Someone, who initially thought they were hearing fireworks, called the 112 emergency services and when the police arrived on the scene they found the victim lying in a pool of blood. An ambulance was called but the medical personnel couldn't do anything to save the Irishman's life. Police officers later found eight bullet shells and spoke to witnesses nearby which led to the discovery of the abandoned Honda Civic in which the gun man had sped off in.
The car was found in the Torrquebrada area, near a primary school. Although the engine was switched off, the keys were still in the ignition and the radio was on. Some smoke was coming out of one of the seats in the car which indicates that the intention was to set it on fire before the occupants escaped but that they didn't manage to do so or have time. Some gloves and a gun cartridge were found on the passenger seat and it looks as if there was one other person in the car as well as the gun man.
Wanted in Dublin
Police officers have taken statements from the victim's relative - who had arrived on the Costa del Sol recently from Ireland - and from one of the friends who was in the bar with him. It turns out that the friend is wanted in his country so he was therefore detained by the police and will appear before the courts here.
Investigations into the shooting currently point towards the motive being a criminal settling of scores.
