Gang enforcer Paul Rice was quizzed over gang hit.
Notorious gang enforcer Paul Rice was arrested last week in connection with a murder investigation, the Sunday World can reveal.
The 44-year-old thug was nabbed by detectives investigating the gangland slaying of James Kenny McDonagh in October 2010.
The 28-year-old was abducted and shot dead and then buried in the Dublin mountains.
Rice was one of three arrested over the past week by gardai from Kilmainham, Dublin.
McDonagh, who was from Bluebell, in west Dublin, is understood to have been murdered by associates of Rice after standing up to a mob boss.
He was last seen in Bluebell on the afternoon of October 27, 2010, driving a wine-coloured Mazda 626.
Officers believe he was lured to a meeting and ambushed from behind by a gunman who fired one shot into the back of his head with a 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
He was then taken to the mountains where the gang dug a shallow grave and dumped his body. He was reported missing several days after he was murdered and his car was later found burnt out in Newcastle.
His remains were discovered by chance in January 2012 by hill walkers.
Gardai moved to detain Rice and two of his pals in the last seven days. Rice was arrested at his home in Tallaght on Monday and held at Kilmainham Garda station for eight hours. It is understood he refused to cooperate.
One of the other men detained is suspected of having set up McDonagh.
All three were released without charge and the murder probe is continuing.
McDonagh was a well-known criminal who associated with several gangs in south Dublin. He was involved in drug dealing and general criminality and is understood to have a had a fight with one of Rice’s best friends.
The father-of-one was also in dispute with at least two other mobs, which has complicated the garda investigation.
Threats were issued by both sides and it is understood that McDonagh was murdered in order to prevent him from targeting Rice’s friend.
Rice is regarded as one of the most serious criminals in the capital. He has a fearsome reputation for violence and is an enforcer for Christy Kinahan and Gerard ‘Hatchet’ Kavanagh.
He owns several ice cream vans and was involved in the infamous “ice cream wars” in the 1990s, when he put several rivals out of business by threatening to shoot them.
Rice was caged for 10 years in 1995 after he pleaded guilty to a series of violent armed robberies.
