Suspected killer may be hiding out here
A SUSPECTED killer – who British police are urging the public not to approach – is understood to have travelled to Ireland, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.
Shane O’Brien, who is from London but has links in Ireland, is wanted for the murder of an innocent 21-year-old who was knifed to death in front of his girlfriend last October.
There has been no sighting of O’Brien, 27, since October 13 – two days after the murder – when he was spotted buying clothes in a shopping centre in Kent. But now police believe he may have travelled to Ireland. An alert has been issued to garda stations around the country urging officers to keep an eye out for the alleged killer.
The manhunt began on October 11, after Josh Hanson was stabbed to death in a busy wine bar. Police later released an image of O’Brien but warned members of the public not to approach him. A £10,000 (€13,000) reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest.
Following the stabbing at RE bar in Eastcote, London, police made a direct appeal to O’Brien, of Ladbroke Grove, west London, to contact them. Detective chief inspector Noel McHugh added: ‘A substantial reward is now on offer to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and prosecution and we hope this will encourage someone to come forward.’
O’Brien is described as white, 6ft tall and of muscular build. He is the father of two children and has the name ‘Shannon’ tattooed across his back. Police believe he has friends or family helping him avoid detection.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and are on bail.