Ryan family: Vincent didn’t supply AK47s for attack at Regency Hotel
THE family of murdered Vincent Ryan have strenuously denied reports linking him to the gangland criminals involved in last month’s Regency Hotel shooting.
The family also called for ‘no retaliation’ and for an ‘end to the senseless violence being carried out on our streets by drug gangs’.
In a statement issued to the Irish Mail on Sunday yesterday, Vincent’s brother Dermot said reports that he was questioned over the provision of AK47s used in the attack are ‘totally without foundation’.
Speaking on behalf of the Ryan family, Dermot said his brother was what he called ‘a staunch and honourable Republican’ and held his beliefs until his death.
But he claimed that on his release from prison ‘he did not report back to the IRA, and from that time has solely been concerned with building his business as a barber and creating a family life with his partner Kelly and newborn baby Phoenix, and had stepped aside from involvement in Republican activity’.
Dermot Ryan also denied reports that Vincent was shot dead in a car previously owned by David Byrne – the gangland criminal shot dead in the Regency.
He said: ‘ There has been much media commentary about Vincent since his death, much of if false and misleading. It has been alleged that Vincent was driving a car previously owned by a drug dealer. Vincent purchased the car from a well-known garage in the Dublin area, and we have provided the gardaí with the purchase documents and the identity of the garage and asked them to investigate the matter. Vincent, just like any other citizen who purchases a car in a garage, would not be aware of who the previous owners were.’
The statement from the Ryan family thanked all of those who contacted them or posted on social media offering their condolences and sympathy.
The family also said that, although Vincent would receive a ‘traditional Republican family funeral’ on Tuesday, they claimed it would not include the military trappings witnessed at his brother Alan Ryan’s burial when shots were fired over his coffin.
Vincent will be buried on Tuesday after Mass at Holy Trinity Church, Donaghmede. ‘For the avoidance of any doubt, he will not receive a military funeral,’ the family said.
Ryan was shot multiple times as he sat in his car last Monday. His girlfriend and their new baby had left the car when he was killed. The gunmen drove off and their getaway car was found burned out on the Naas to Rathangan Road in Kildare. Ryan, who had been a member of his brother Alan’s gang, is believed to have been involved in the mur- der of Mika ‘The Panda’ Kelly in September 2011. In retaliation, Alan Ryan was murdered a year later.
The statement was released through solicitor and family friend Malachy Steenson. Mr Steenson, who describes himself as a ‘strong republican’, has a conviction at the Special Criminal Court for car theft.
Speaking to the MoS, Mr Steenson confirmed his conviction before the Special Criminal Court for car theft. When asked about his republican connections, he replied: ‘I have no conviction for membership of any organisation.’
Asked about a Facebook post alleging he should have been killed in an INLA feud 20 years ago, he said: ‘Many people would have that view.’
Asked why he thought Vincent was killed, he replied: ‘Because his name was Ryan. Because these guys and these people control this city and vowed to take out the Ryan family in the same way another criminal family, the Kinahans, have vowed to take out the Hutch family.
‘Because the Ryans and Alan Ryan were prepared to stand up to them. And it’s an attack on Republicans.’
Asked if the Ryan family were extorting money from drug gangs he said: ‘No.’
‘He will not receive a military funeral’