New ‘isolated' ex-gangland enforcer chief suspect details in dad's chilling murder amid ‘people know what he did' plea
Paul was just 20
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An ex-gangland enforcer is the chief suspect in the murder of dad-of-two Paul Byrne
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He disappeared just weeks after discovering partner Martina McQuillan was pregnant
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Paul's mother Ashley Dempsey, with Martina and Abbey
Credit: Niall Marshall/News Group Newspapers Ltd
His skeletal remains were found in a wooded area near Blessington,
He disappeared just weeks after discovering he was to
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Shortly after his disappearance, his family were also subjected to a campaign of intimidation when leaflets about his disappearance were vandalised.
At the time, gardai also confirmed that the dad-of-two wasn't involved in organised
As the Garda investigation continues, Paul's killer is still being hunted by gardai.
The prime suspect
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And just days after he was released, he was caught with a huge stash of drugs.
Before his arrest for Paul's murder, he had been regarded as an enforcer operating in the Tallaght area.
One source said: 'This individual is a violent criminal who's suspected of killing Paul Byrne.
'VERY ISOLATED'
'He has been ostracised by many in the criminal world and is now very isolated.
'There are people who know what he did but he's longer in a position to terrorise people.'
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Meanwhile, Paul's mother Ashley Dempsey told of her family's ongoing pain.
She said: 'We have been through hell and no family should have to experience such a living nightmare.
'BRUTALLY TAKEN'
'Paul was a precious son and we all just miss him so much.
'He was brutally taken from us and it's awful to think that we had to wait such a long time before we were able to give him a Christian burial.
'We will never forget Paul and he will always keep his memory alive.'
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The grieving mum also said: 'This terrible murder has had a horrendous effect on my family - the pain will never go away.
'DESERVES TO HAVE JUSTICE'
'He deserves to have justice and that means those responsible for his murder being brought to justice.
'My son was killed without ever getting to meet his daughter.'
Although five people have been arrested over the murder, no one has ever been charged.
Following Paul's disappearance, the local gang suspected of killing him imploded.
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'MURDER DIVIDED THE GANG'
Since then, the suspects have been involved in criminality but aren't part of any major crime gang.
One local resident told us: 'Any hold these individuals may have had in the Tallaght area is now gone.
'They were a local gang and they went their own way after Paul's murder.
'The murder divided the gang and when new groups came to the fore they no longer posed the same type of threat.
'SLEEPLESS NIGHTS'
'The chief suspect was an enforcer and used violence in the past and he has gone on to lead a very isolated and chaotic life.
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'Paul's murder must have caused many sleepless nights to those involved and his family deserve justice.'
'He was brutally taken from us and it's awful to think that we had to wait such a long time before we were able to give him a Christian burial."
Ashley Dempsey
Paul's mother
They also said: 'Paul would have known some of these people but he was keeping his distance from them in the weeks before he went missing.'
At present, the ongoing case is being run by Det Insp Seamus Ryan and the team at Blessington Garda station.
FAMILY 'DEEPLY AFFECTED'
The senior officer said: 'Paul's family have been deeply affected by his murder.
'They are anxious that he's not forgotten and our investigation is active and ongoing.
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'I have no doubt that there are people in the Tallaght community who have information on this callous murder but have yet to come forward.
'There are people who know what he did but he's longer in a position to terrorise people.'
Irish Sun source
'I want to reassure anyone who has information that they will be treated in a sensitive and confidential manner.
'Relationships and allegiances may have changed over the years so it's never too late for people to come forward with the slightest bit of information, no matter how insignificant they think it might be.
'Paul's family are anxious for the investigation to progress so that it can bring them some closure.'
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Paul's family and friends 'are anxious that he's not forgotten'
Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
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