From Waterford Whispers News

The brother of the man who lost his life after being shot outside the pub where he was drinking, has described him as "a little prick" and got what was eventually coming to him.

Colm Keegan yesterday told how his brother Patrick 'Podge' Keegan (26) was left lying in the hospital morgue with 17 bullet wounds after the shooting outside the Ramblers Rest bar in Dublin's north inner city at 10:54am on Sunday morning.

He said his brother was shot several times in the face and ten times in the torso, legs and crotch area -- leaving him very dead indeed.

"He was a right little bollocks altogether. He probably owed some other scumbag money." Mr Keegan, from Coolock, said.

He made his remarks as investigating officers focused on a link between the shooting and an ongoing gang culture relating to drugs, alcohol and poor standards of living in the area.

Gardai are satisfied Mr Keegan was heavily involved in illegal activities and, on this information, have decided to close the murder investigation.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter said yesterday he wasn't really worried about the incident and asked people to ignore it.

"Just leave them at it. They will cancel out each other in the end." he said.

Mr. Shatter had spoken several times to Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan since the shooting and said the general consensus is that gardai were getting very tired of their time being wasted on ridiculous gun crimes.

"The feedback I'm getting from the gardai is that they don't want to be wasting their time on gangland hits.

"I will be putting forward a proposal, to the Dail, to out-source insignificant gun crimes, such as this, to privately run investigation services. This will give the gardai more resources to tackle more serious crimes like traffic violations and domestic violence." said the minister.

According to an associate of the latest shooting victim, he had owed everyone money and was always "in trouble with the local drug dealers and money lenders."

"Podge was a cunt. The last time I seen his scrawny neck was last Saturday. He was getting the shit kicked out of him by a couple of dealers outside Burger King.

"He had a face for punching though.

"It was only a matter of time that someone plugged the little shit. He won't be missed." said a local man who wished to remain anonymous.

Meanwhile, a passer-by who was hit in the arm during the shooting has said that she understands the situation and doesn't hold any contempt for the shooter.

"Its a small sacrifice. It was only a flesh wound anyway. I don't really care to be honest, just as long as he got his man in the end.

"At least another piece of scum is gone off our streets." said pregnant mother of four Jacintha Flynn.

Post man James Ward (47) said he first heard several loud "pops" as he was delivering mail across the street.

"I remember turning around and seeing a man in a balaclava stood over Podge's pointing a gun. People were shouting at the man to 'Finish Him'. Then, as cool as a breeze, he opened up several more rounds into his face. It was awesome!

"Everyone started clapping. The man then ran off and jumped onto the back of a motorbike which was waiting down the street." he said.

Patrick 'Podge' Keegan's remains will be taken to St.Anthony's church in Fairview tomorrow evening were a service will be held for his family and associates.