Murdered man Alan Desmond was on the run MICHAEL O'TOOLE MAY 21, 2013 A criminal executed in a lonely field was on the run from gardai when he was gunned down, it has emerged.
Sources have confirmed to The Star that Alan Desmond — who was shot in the back of the head in an execution-style killing — was at the centre of a Garda manhunt when he was killed.
It is understood Desmond (37) went on the run after a weapons haul was found close to his home in Kilclare Avenue, Tallaght, south Dublin, at the end of April.
Officers searched an area as part of an anti-drugs operation — and recovered three rifles, a handgun, two sawn-off shotguns and a large amount of ammunition.
Desmond, who had a previous firearms conviction, was the subject of a Garda manhunt over the discovery.
Sources say gardai are now examining the theory that he may have been killed over the April 30 find.
A source told The Star: “He really was a loner, who was low down in the criminal food chain.
“The suspicion is that Desmond was asked to mind the firearms for a criminal gang from the Tallaght area.
“He went to ground when the find was made and members were looking for him, but it looks as if the criminals got him first.
“The theory is that he was killed because he lost the consignment of firearms.”
Desmond’s body was found with a bullet hole that went through his neck and eye in the field at Killinarden Hill in Tallaght on Saturday night.
Gardai believe he was forced to kneel down on the ground — before a pistol was fired into the back of his neck from just a few inches away.
The bullet passed through his head and blew out one of his eyes.
His body was discovered on Saturday night by a group of children who were playing in the undergrowth.
Gardai last night said these children were being offered counselling by the HSE.
It is believed other children may have seen the body earlier and not realised it was a real corpse.
Gardai believe the body — which was wrapped in a plastic bag — had been there for at least two weeks.
Garda Superintendent Peter Duff, who is leading the probe, yesterday appealed for any parents whose kids may have seen the body to contact detectives in Tallaght.
Anyone with information is urged to contact gardai in Tallaght on 01-666 6000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
