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Tributes have been paid to Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne on the fifth anniversary of his death in the Regency Hotel shooting.<\/p>\nTributes have been paid to Kinahan cartel associate David Byrne on the fifth anniversary of his death in the Regency Hotel shooting.<\/p>\n
Flowers, balloons, photographs and handwritten notes were left by family members and friends outside the north Dublin hotel, which has since been renamed the Bonnington.<\/p>\n
Several bunches of flowers and balloons imprinted with a photograph of Byrne and the words \u201cWe miss you so much David\u201d were tied to the railings.<\/p>\n
Byrne was shot dead by members of the Hutch gang at a boxing weigh-in on February 5th, 2016.<\/p>\n
Friday marked five years since the violent shooting, which sparked a bloody gang war that claimed 18 lives.<\/p>\n
One of the notes placed at the hotel was from Byrne\u2019s parents.<\/p>\n
It read: \u201cDavid, our beautiful son, we miss you so much, you were our pride and joy. We are heart broken without you. Love you always and forever, Mam and Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Byrne\u2019s sister wrote: \u201cDavid, my beautiful baby brother, it doesn\u2019t take today to think of you as I talk to you everyday.<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss you so much. All our hearts are broken, five years on and still no justice. Love you so much, your sis Melanie.\u201d<\/p>\n
Garda\u00ed have always believed the intended target was crime boss Daniel Kinahan.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the Garda said they were \u201cprepared\u201d for any gangland attacks that might take place on the anniversary.<\/p>\n
The Garda assistant commissioner for organized and serious crime, John O\u2019Driscoll, said the force was prepared for incidents that might be carried out by either side in the feud.<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Driscoll confirmed that investigations into the Regency Hotel shooting are ongoing.<\/p>\n
No-one has ever been convicted in relation to the incident.<\/p>\n
Mr O’Driscoll defended the garda\u00ed\u2019s record in relation to the investigation and also hit out at what he called \u201cfake news\u201d disseminated by members of the Kinahan cartel.<\/p>\n
These have included high budget re-enactments of the Regency shooting, which baselessly claim it was part of a conspiracy on behalf of the garda\u00ed and the Irish government.<\/p>\n
Kinahan was identified in the High Court in Dublin as a senior figure who \u201ccontrolled and managed\u201d the operations of the Kinahan organized crime group.<\/p>\n
The international crime syndicate has been involved in the smuggling of drugs and guns into Ireland, the UK and Europe.<\/p>\n
In recent times, Kinahan has attempted to re-brand himself as a boxing promoter.<\/p>\n
But he drew further scrutiny when it was revealed he played a key role in organizing the heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.<\/p>\n
Kinahan claimed to have stepped away from boxing after the controversy that followed, but a recent BBC Panorama investigation revealed he still holds close links with the sport.<\/p>\n