The Players Lounge at Fairview in Dublin has been robbed at gun point and set on fire. The Players Lounge has been the subject of a number of violent incidents involving members of the Real IRA and other criminal gangs in the north of the City, in disputes about providing security and drug dealing.
2/8/2011: Gardaí are investigating an armed robbery and a fire at The Players Lounge pub in Fairview, Dublin.
A gang of four men, one armed with a handgun, entered the premises shortly after 2am and tied up the manager.
They took a substantial amount of cash from the safe. A fire then broke out.
Gardaí are treating the fire as suspicious. Extensive damage was caused to the lounge area of the pub.
The scene has been preserved for forensic examination.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
26th July 2011
Gardaí investigating the shooting of three people at a Dublin pub are trying to establish if it is connected to a dispute between criminals and former IRA members.
One line of inquiry is that it could be linked to tension over control of the business of providing security and doormen at pubs around the city.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the shooting outside the Players Lounge on Fairview Strand in the early hours of this morning. A third person is also in hospital.
It is believed the attack was captured on CCTV, which gardaí are now examining. The scene of the shooting was examined this morning.
Gardaí say a lone gunman walked up to the pub at around 12.20am and fired several shots at a group of people outside.
The doorman was hit in the head, while two customers were hit in the chest and back. Gardaí believe the gunman was armed with two handguns.
The getaway car - a Volkswagen Golf - was found burnt-out shortly afterwards at Verschoyle Court near Mount Street.
It was fitted with false Dublin number plates (05-D-57078) and gardaí are appealing for anyone who saw that car to contact them.
The gunman is around 5'8". He was wearing dark clothes and his head was covered.
