In an act horribly reminiscent of what we thought were times past, the Continuity IRA have claimed responsibility for Friday's shooting during the weigh-in for the Clash of the Clans boxing event that was due to take place in Dublin on Saturday.
It had been speculated that the shooting which left one man, David Byrne, dead, was as a result of an ongoing feud between rival Dublin gangs. However, in a statement to BBC today, republican splinter group the Continuity IRA claimed responsibility for the shooting as a result of the killing of Alan Ryan in Dublin four years ago.
Although not a member of our organisation, we are not going to stand back and allow drug dealers and criminals to target republicans.
Ryan was involved with the Real IRA and it was reported that his death was as a result of a feud with Dublin criminal gangs. The statement from the Continuity IRA has also claimed that this will not be 'an isolated incident'.
Continuity IRA units have been authorised to carry out further operations. More drug dealers and criminals will be targeted.
The Continuity IRA will carry out further military operations.
The re-emergence of figures claiming to represent republican paramilitary groups will not doubt be a cause for concern but, as of yet, it remains to be seen whether there is any truth to this claim of their involvement in the shooting at the Regency Hotel on Friday.
Speaking shortly after the statement emerged, Minster for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, has confirmed that Gardaí will be investigating the claims despite earlier assumptions that the shooting was as a result of a feud between rival gangs.
