"Only able to be identified by his DNA" – the ruthless gangland killing of Paul Byrne
As the 2000s came to a close, gang violence in Ireland was a common problem. In the summer of 2009, Paul ‘Frank’ Byrne, who was not considered to be a major criminal but was associated with a serious criminal gang, was seen getting into a wine-coloured Mitsubishi Carisma. It would be the last time the 20-year-old was seen alive. Byrne’s remains were discovered a little over a year later in a forest in Co Wicklow, identified only via DNA analysis. Seventeen years later, those responsible for his murder remain at large. The investigation remains open, with gardaí making a fresh push for information. Will those in the know ever come forward? On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent crime correspondent Ken Foy to look at the murder of Paul ‘Frank’ Byrne and where the authorities hope to finally make a crucial breakthrough. The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism