Fitness fanatic Bobby fatally shot in head at morning class
THE family of innocent fitness fanatic Robert ‘Bobby’ Messett have been left devastated by his murder.
It is understood that Mr Messett (50) trained at the Taylor Made gym in Bray almost every morning, including taking various fitness classes.
His distraught family said that yesterday morning he was going about his usual routine when the gunman burst in to the gym.
The family of the grandfather and father-of-three, who lived in Kilbride Grove, Bray, Co Wicklow, said they have no understanding whatsoever of why the shooting occurred.
The Messett family were being comforted by their extended family, neighbours and friends at their home following the incident.
Mr Messett was a painter and decorator, and a keen cyclist who was a member of the local Bray Wheelers cycling club. It is understood he had taken part in a bike race only last weekend.
The murdered man was among around 20 people taking part in an early morning fitness session at the gym when the gunman recklessly struck.
The popular family man was highly respected in Bray.
He had no involvement in crime and was not known to gardaí.
One source said: “A completely innocent man was fatally shot in the head while another innocent man was shot in the lower legs and another shot in the arm. It was a complete mess.
“What makes this particularly tragic is that it seems that Mr Messett was shot in the head when he simply leaned over to see what was happening when the gunman entered the club and it seems that Mr Britton just got in the gunman’s way at the door of the gym.”
Mr Messett had no involvement in crime and was not known to gardaí
There were sombre scenes in Bray yesterday as the body of Mr Messett was removed from the boxing club.
Gardaí investigating the fatal shooting in Bray last night formally named the deceased and reissued an appeal for information about the murder.
Superintendent Pat Ward from Bray garda station appealed for anyone with information to come forward, especially if they know anything about the movements of the VW Caddy escape vehicle.
“We’re particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was in this area this morning, it is a leisure area and people may have been out walking or walking their dogs.
“If they saw anything suspicious this morning or in previous mornings or anytime in the last few days please contact us,” said Supt Ward.
This appeal also extended to anyone using the gym who may have seen any suspicious activity lately, or anyone with dashcam cameras who were in and around Bray early yesterday.
The gunman was wearing some sort of dark cover on his head, which may have been a balaclava or a helmet of some sort. The number for Bray garda station is 01 6665300, or the Garda Confidential Line is 1800 666111.