Thursday 5 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 29797Murder (shooting) · Co. Meath · 4 Nov 2019

Inquest opened into shooting death of man in Bettystown, Co Meath

Richie Carberry, 39, a man classed as a main player in the Drogheda feud, was shot dead outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, at 11.40pm on November 4, 2019. A gunman was believed to have been waiting for him, and a van thought to be the getaway vehicle was found on fire less than 1km away. He had previously survived a murder attempt at his home in March 2019 and had been officially warned by gardai that his life was under grave threat. The inquest was formally opened at Drogheda Coroner's Court in October 2021 and adjourned as a criminal investigation is ongoing.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court5 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Richie Carberry, 39, was shot dead outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, on November 4, 2019.
  • He was classed as one of the main players in the Drogheda feud and was believed to have been directing the operations of two criminal brothers from Drogheda.
  • The gunman had been waiting for Carberry, and a van believed to be the getaway vehicle was found on fire on Eastham Road less than 1km away.
  • Three cars parked in the estate were struck by bullets during the gun attack.
  • He had previously survived a murder attempt at his home on March 5, 2019, and had been officially warned by gardai that his life was under grave threat.
Where
Carberry was originally from Coolock, Dublin, and was living on the Castlemartin Drive estate in Bettystown.
When
He was getting out of his car at 11.40pm on November 4, 2019.
Cause
A post-mortem by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster found the cause of death was haemorrhaging and shock due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Investigation
A garda on duty in the Laytown patrol car was alerted to the shooting and found Carberry bleeding; he was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where he suffered a cardiac arrest en route.
In court
The inquest was formally opened at Drogheda Coroner's Court in October 2021 and adjourned as a criminal investigation is ongoing.
Other details
He was the brother-in-law of Robbie Lawlor, who was gunned down in Belfast in April 2020.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRichie Carberry, 39, was shot dead outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, in November 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe was classed as one of the main players in the Drogheda feud. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatDetectives believed he had been directing the operations of two criminal brothers from Drogheda. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe gunman had been waiting for Carberry. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA van believed to be used as a getaway vehicle was found on fire on Eastham Road less than 1km away. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThree cars parked in the estate were struck by bullets during the gun attack. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe previously survived a murder attempt at his home on the night of March 5, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe suffered a cardiac arrest en route to the emergency department. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereCarberry was originally from Coolock, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenHe was getting out of his car on the Castlemartin Drive estate in Bettystown at 11.40pm on November 4, 2019. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeA post-mortem by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster found the cause of death was haemorrhaging and shock due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA garda on duty in the Laytown patrol car was alerted to the shooting and came across Richard Carberry bleeding. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe inquest was formally opened at Drogheda Coroner's Court on Friday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtLouth County Coroner Ronan Maguire explained he could only hear brief medical evidence as the inquest was adjourned because a criminal investigation is ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was the brother-in-law of Robbie Lawlor, who was gunned down in Belfast in April 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCarberry had been officially warned by gardai that his life was under grave threat. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe went to the emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where medical staff were still working on his son. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was unable to speak and a number of people were attempting to render medical assistance. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA garda drove the ambulance from the scene to the hospital while a nurse and two paramedics continued to treat him. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Oct2021
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Major drugs trafficker died from gunshot wound to stomach, inquest hears

    Inquest formally opened at Drogheda Coroner's Court; cause of death confirmed as haemorrhaging and shock due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen; inquest adjourned as a criminal investigation is ongoing.

    victim, Richie Carberry, 39, male, irish (judged from name)Richie Carberrysuspect, male