KEN FOY, CRIME CORRESPONDENT – 07 FEBRUARY 2013 10:35 AM
A DUBLIN man who was arrested by detectives investigating the murder of Real IRA terror boss Alan Ryan had been released from prison just weeks before Ryan was shot dead.
THE 24-year-old Donaghmede man was picked up by gardai in the Artane area of the capital yesterday but sources say that it is not believed he was directly involved in Ryan's murder.
Instead it is thought that he may have key information in relation to the killing.
The suspect is considered a low level criminal who has a number of previous convictions including serving a short sentence for street-level crack cocaine dealing.
Sources say that he was a previous target for the gardai's Operation Boa – a special undercover operation led by detectives based in Clontarf and Raheny against street dealing on the capital's northside, particularly in the Kilbarrack area.
A source said: "It is fair to say that this fella is not a criminal mastermind or anything like that – however it is suspected that he may have information about Ryan's murder.
"He would know some of the main players so that is why he is a person of interest."
It is suspected that Ryan was murdered on the orders of two gang bosses who are now in jail for unrelated offences.
Milking
It is understood that a number of north Dublin gangs "clubbed together" to have Ryan murdered because of the money his mob was milking from them in extortion rackets.
Before being locked up, the two gang leaders continued to direct operations and have stepped up a campaign of terror against the RIRA mob.
Sources say that the duo have also been in a "cash drive" with the older criminal in particular demanding that other gangs who "clubbed in" for Ryan's murder "cough up money" that was owed to the actual hitmen who murdered Ryan.
Ryan (32) – who was shot dead in broad daylight as he walked in Clongriffin in September – had built up a fearsome underworld reputation for extorting money from some of Ireland's most dangerous drugs gangs.
Ryan was shot dead close to his Donaghmede home when two gunmen opened fire on him and one of his associates.
A car carrying what gardai believe were two gunmen pulled up and at least one of the passengers got out and started firing at Ryan and his pal Aaron Nealis who was hit in the leg.
Ryan was hit a number of times, including in the head.
