Murder of John Clarke

The Gardaí in Coolock are investigating the murder of John Clarke which took place on Wednesday the 6th May 2009, at the underground car park belonging to an apartment complex on Brookwood Grove.

John and some friends had spent the earlier part of the evening socialising at a pub located near to Dublin Airport. They left the pub at around 1am and drove to Primrose Grove, Darndale. A friend of John’s drove his navy blue 7 series BMW, while he sat in the front seat.

On arrival they parked up in a cul-de-sac, were they continued drinking and listening to music.

At around 2.40am they left Darndale and drove onto the Malahide Road, in the direction of the Clarehall shopping centre.  At the N32 / Malahide road junction a verbal altercation occurred between John and the occupants of a second vehicle.

At this junction the navy BMW with John and his friends drove in the direction of Baldoyle.  They went towards Grainger’s pub in Baldoyle before continuing along the Dublin road (coast road), heading back in the direction of Artane. They then arrived back to John’s apartment just before 3am, entering the underground car park.

It was here that a gunman alighted from a silver 5 series BMW, firing several shots through the windscreen. The driver was shot in the hand while John received gunshot wounds to his body.  A friend sitting in the rear of the car was also shot.

The driver of John’s car managed to flee the scene and drove to Beaumont Hospital were John subsequently died from his injuries.

The silver BMW 540  turned onto Brookwood Avenue and headed in the direction of Clontarf were it was later discovered burnt out at the rear of house on Mount Prospect Drive.

Gardaí at Coolock Investigating       Telephone 016664200