Former chief of staff of Real IRA shot and killed in Cork city
Aidan O’Driscoll – nicknamed the Beast – shot three times near Blackpool Church
Gardaí in Cork have begun an investigation into the fatal shooting of a former chief of staff of the Real IRA by at least two men this evening.
Aidan O’Driscoll (37) – who was nicknamed the Beast – was shot three times by one or possibly two gunmen as he walked along the Commons Road near Blackpool Church on Cork’s Northside at 5pm.
It’s understood that Mr O’Driscoll – who was previously the victim of a punishment shooting by dissident republicans in 2013 – was shot in the lower body three times by the gunman.
According to Garda sources, it is understood that two men ran up behind Mr O’Driscoll near Orchard Court and at least one of them fired at him.
Gardaí do not believe the men were masked and it is unclear what type of weapon or weapons were used in the attack, which was witnessed by several passersby who raised the alarm.
Mr O’Driscoll was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for gunshot wounds to his lower back and kidneys. But he died just before 7pm.
One woman said she heard a sudden bang followed quickly by two other equally loud bangs.
