Dublin boxing weigh-in: Man shot dead, two men injured
A man has been killed in a shooting at a boxing match weigh-in for a WBO title fight in the Republic of Ireland.
Two other men were injured in the incident at Dublin's Regency Hotel at about 14:30 local time on Friday.
It is understood the gunmen were dressed as police officers and armed with AK47 assault rifles.
The event was ahead of Saturday's Clash of the Clans show, featuring a European lightweight bout between Jamie Kavanagh and Antonio Joao Bento.
Uniform
BBC Radio Foyle's sports reporter Kevin McAnena, who was at the hotel, said he "never felt terror like it" when one of the gunmen pointed a gun at him.
"I heard two loud gunshots from outside coming into the hotel.
Image copyright Marty Curran Image caption Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene of the shooting at Dublin's Regency Hotel "At which point, two men, who I thought were [police] officers - turns out they were just dressed up in [police] uniform - came in with guns."
He said he saw one of the gunmen shoot a man in the leg about six feet away from him.
He said he believed "the man I saw shot is the man that is now dead".
Gangland
"That same gunman then looked over at me and pointed the gun at me," he said.
"[Police] have told me since that [the guns] were AK47 rifles.
"It's so surreal, it just happened so quickly, right in front of me.
"A man was shot dead six feet away from me - it's hard to gather your thoughts right now."
Cancelled
The injured men, in their 20s or 30s, have "possible gunshot wounds", police said, and have been taken to hospitals in Dublin.
Officers investigating the suspected gangland crime have sealed off the hotel for a forensic examination.
The pay-per-view channel Box Nation was due to broadcast the event from Dublin's National Stadium but has said it has now been cancelled.
Dublin boxing weigh-in: Man shot dead, two men injured - BBC News
Gangster killed at Irish boxing weigh in.
Man killed as gunmen dressed as police officers storm Dublin boxing weigh-in and start 'firing AK47s'
A MAN gunned down by AK-47-wielding assassins at a boxing weigh-in has been revealed as one of Dublin's most notorious drug dealers.
David Byrne, 34, was shot dead as horrifying footage showed boxers and fans fleeing for their lives when gunmen dressed as police stormed the Regency Hotel.
Two other people thought to be in their 20s or 30s were rushed to hospital with gunshot wounds as Irish police revealed at least four attackers were responsible for the bloody siege.
In the shocking clip, kids can be heard screaming in terror as gunshots ring-out and those inside the room desperately try to escape.
At one point a child is heard shouting: "Daddy help me. Daddy what was that?"
The shooting took place as boxer Jamie Kavanagh was weighing in for his fight with Antonio Joao Bento tomorrow.
Kavanagh is the son of Gerard "Hatchet" Kavanagh - who was lured to his death in Spain last April.
Kavanagh Sr is reported to have been an enforcer for Christy Kinahan - who is suspected of being one of Europe's largest cocaine traffickers.
Several notorious members of the Dublin underworld are understood to have been in attendance at the weigh-in.
Irish police have revealed at least four people were involved in the siege, with two wearing SWAT-style uniforms with metal helmets.
Another is believed to have been dressed as a woman with a grey dress and auburn wig, while a stocky man wearing a beige cap was carrying a handgun.
At least two are reported to have carried Kalashnikovs.
They escaped in a van which was found burned-out shortly after the attack.
Byrne, of Crumlin, was believed to be one of the city's most notorious drug dealers and a member of the Kinahan cartel, the Irish Independent reported.
He is also believed to be the first cousin of Dublin gangster "Fat" Freddie Thompson.
Thompson was previously been informed that his life is in danger, according to MailOnline.
Police said: "We know that there were a considerable number of people present in the Regency Hotel and we are appealing to them to provide any information they may have in relation to the shooting.
"We are also appealing to anyone who was in the area of the Regency Hotel between 2.00 and 2.45 pm, or anyone who was in the Charlemont Estate at that time is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station."
Box Nation, the television channel scheduled to broadcast the fight, said in a message on Twitter that the show had been cancelled due to the shooting.
It said: "Following today's incident at the Dublin weigh in, tomorrow's show from the National Stadium has been cancelled."
Jamie Kavanagh later tweeted: "Anyone asking I'm OK! Thanks (sic) you for asking. I was lucky today is all I can say."
The bout was being promoted by Frank Warren and MGM Promotions, according to MGM.
Two years ago, former European light-middleweight boxing champion Jamie Moore was shot twice in the legs in Marbella.
Pictured: Man killed as gunmen dressed as police officers storm Dublin boxing weigh-in and start 'firing AK47s'
