High profile gangster guy (40) arrested in connection with the killing of Patrick “Pappy” Lyons in Ballymun

The suspect, 40, who was previously a central figure in the pack led by murdered gangster Eamon “The Don” Dunne, was arrested yesterday morning in connection with the fatal shooting of Patrick “Pappy” Lyons on February 11, 2021 ) was shot five times while walking down Belclare Terrace in Ballymun and died at the scene.

It is unclear whether the man arrested yesterday is the alleged shooter in the case or whether he is believed to have provided the handgun used.

The criminal, who has been involved in cash-in-transit robberies, has been involved in a number of gang disputes over the years, including with his former partners in crime.

He has a previous conviction for a firearms-related offense and has served a significant prison sentence for organized crime.

He is also currently suspected of being involved in drug trafficking in the Finglas and Ballymun areas.

Mr Lyons was not involved in gang crime.

He was a drug addict and had several prejudices related to his addiction. Gardaí suspect he was murdered after getting in the way of dangerous local criminals, possibly over a small drug debt of just a few hundred euros.

After his assassination, the Irish Independent revealed the Garda Ombudsman had opened an investigation over allegations that several Gardaí had been made aware of a threat to Mr Lyons’ life more than 24 hours before he was shot.

A month after the fatal shooting, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) searched the home of an officer as part of the investigation.

Cell phones and other devices were removed from the officer’s home.

The Garda watchdog also visited Ballymun train station on Lake Garda to gather evidence, taking notebooks and documents.

A GSOC spokesman confirmed yesterday that the investigation is ongoing.

“Gsoc received a referral from An Garda Síochána regarding this matter in February 2021,” he told the Irish Independent.

“The transfer was made in accordance with Section 102(1) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This investigation remains open. As such, Gsoc is currently unable to comment further.”

It is alleged that the Gardaí investigating Mr Lyons’ murder were only informed of any pre-existing knowledge of a threat four days after his death.

The three officers who allegedly knew about the threat to his life are understood to have been key members of the homicide investigation and attended homicide conferences without disclosing the information. They were later removed from the investigation.