AN ORGANISED crime gang is using a notorious sex offender to carry out shootings and punishment-style attacks, the Herald can reveal.
The gang, which is based in Bray, Co Wicklow and is led by a well-known criminal, are using the thug as one of their main enforcers.
Since being released from prison he has been the chief suspect in a litany of shootings, including three in the last year alone.
He is suspected of carrying out the shooting of Bray native Tiernan Stokes (24) in August of last year.
Stokes was shot in the back of both his legs, and although his injuries were non-life threatening, he was forced to under go rehabilitation to recover from his wounds.
A source explained how the vicious sex offender is being used as an enforcer for the gang, and described him as a volatile individual.
"If the gang want something done, they call this lad up to do it for them. He has absolutely no hesitation in carrying out the gang's dirty work.
He's been the main suspect in a number of shootings, and is a dangerous man," the source explained
The thug is also suspected of being involved in a shooting at the Oil Can Harry's pub on August 31 of last year, where a group were celebrating a Christening at the time.
Shooting
The suspect, armed with a handgun let off a number of shots, injuring a 19-year-old and 20-year-old before fleeing the scene in a car. The two casualties, who were not the intended targets, were brought to St Vincent's Hospital, but their injuries were non life-threatening.
Also in the pub socialising at the time of the shooting was major gangland figure Mark 'The Guinea Pig' Desmond.
Gardai received intelligence that Desmond had a heated verbal argument with the convicted criminal leading the Bray faction earlier that evening, and detectives are enquiring about a possible link between the argument and the shooting.
