Wednesday 28 October 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. 0010Murder · Co. Dublin · 5 Jul 2026

Man in 40s arrested over murder of Mark Cullen in Dún Laoghaire

Mark Cullen, a 39-year-old father of three from Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, was shot in the upper leg at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, on Sunday 5 July 2026 and bled to death at the scene. Gardaí believe he attended a prearranged meeting at around 8.30am and was fatally injured during a struggle with a handgun or deliberately shot as part of a dispute or punishment shooting. A man in his 40s was arrested on 10 September and released without charge on 12 September, while Edward Andrews, 32, of Wicklow town, Co Wicklow, was subsequently arrested and charged with Cullen's murder. Andrews was remanded in custody at Dublin District Court on 18 October, and the case was adjourned at Cloverhill District Court on 23 October pending preparation of a book of evidence, with the next hearing set for 19 November.

  1. Reported12 Sep
  2. Arrested10 Sep
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court23 Oct
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Mark Cullen, 39, was shot in the upper leg at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, and bled to death at the scene.
Where
The shooting took place at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin; the victim was from Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, south Dublin.
When
The murder occurred on Sunday, 5 July 2026, at around 8.30am.
Cause
Cullen was fatally injured during a struggle with a handgun or deliberately shot as part of a dispute or so-called punishment shooting.
Investigation
  • A man in his 40s was arrested on 10 September 2026 and released without charge on 12 September; Gardaí are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
  • Edward Andrews, 32, of Radharc na Farraige, Wicklow town, Co Wicklow, was arrested and charged with Cullen's murder.
In court
  • Andrews was remanded in custody before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on Saturday, 18 October 2026.
  • The case was adjourned at Cloverhill District Court on Friday, 23 October 2026, by Judge Alan Mitchell pending preparation of a book of evidence, with the next hearing set for 19 November.
Other details
  • The murder was the first gang-related murder of 2026 and the first organised crime gun killing since 2024.
  • Cullen was known to gardaí for associating with members of a south Dublin drug dealing street gang and had prior convictions for assault, threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of cannabis, and carrying a knife.
  • Cullen was a father of three and was last released from prison in May 2025.
  • Andrews was granted legal aid at his first hearing because he was unemployed and receiving social welfare.
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe victim was 39 years old (rte.ie)
  • whatA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the investigation (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim was shot in the leg and died at the scene (rte.ie)
  • whatGardaí believed the victim went to Patrician Park at around 8.30am for a prearranged meeting (rte.ie)
  • whatThe victim was shot in the upper leg and bled to death on the street (rte.ie)
  • whatMark Cullen was shot in the leg and died at the scene (rte.ie)
  • whatMark Cullen was fatally injured in a gun attack at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue on 5 July 2026 (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCullen was shot in the leg and died at the scene (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe victim was shot dead at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue (rte.ie)
  • whereThe victim was from Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill in Dublin (rte.ie)
  • whereThe shooting took place at Patrician Park on Kill Avenue in Dún Laoghaire (rte.ie)
  • whenThe murder occurred on Sunday, 5 July (rte.ie)
  • whenThe shooting occurred on Sunday, 5 July (rte.ie)
  • causeHe was fatally injured during a struggle with a handgun or deliberately shot as part of a dispute or so-called punishment shooting (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe arrestee is being detained at a garda station in Dublin (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí said their investigations are ongoing (rte.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 40s was arrested in connection with the fatal shooting (rte.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested man was released without charge (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are continuing to investigate the murder of Mark Cullen (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (rte.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested Edward Andrews, 32, of Radharc na Farraige, Wicklow town, Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAndrews was remanded in custody after appearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court on Saturday (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case resumed at Cloverhill District Court on Friday when Judge Alan Mitchell adjourned it pending preparation of a book of evidence (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe next District Court hearing is set for 19 November (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in a murder charge, which requires a High Court application (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe murder was the first gang-related murder of the year (rte.ie)
  • otherIt was the first organised crime gun killing since 2024 (rte.ie)
  • otherThe victim was known to gardaí for associating with members of a south Dublin drug dealing street gang (rte.ie)
  • otherThe victim had convictions for assault, threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of cannabis and carrying a knife (rte.ie)
  • otherDetectives were not aware of any danger to the victim's life (rte.ie)
  • otherThe victim was last released from prison in May 2025 (rte.ie)
  • otherMark Cullen was 39 years old (rte.ie)
  • otherCullen was a father of three from Shanganagh Cliffs, Shankill, south Dublin (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAndrews was granted legal aid at his first hearing because he was unemployed and receiving social welfare (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Oct2026
    In courtirishtimes.com, follow-up
    No solicitor for man charged over fatal Dún Laoghaire shooting amid legal aid dispute

    Names the accused as Edward Andrews, 32, of Wicklow town; details his unrepresented appearances at Dublin District Court and Cloverhill District Court amid the legal aid dispute; case adjourned pending book of evidence with next hearing set for 19 November.

    victim, Mark Cullen, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Cullenaccused, Edward Andrews, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward Andrews
  2. 12 Sep2026
    Reportedrte.ie, follow-up
    Man arrested in connection with Dublin shooting released

    The man in his 40s previously arrested in connection with the murder has been released without charge. Gardaí are preparing a file for the DPP.

    victim, Mark Cullen, 39, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Cullensuspect, 40s, male
  3. 10 Sep2026
    Arrestedrte.ie, follow-up
    Man, 40s, arrested over murder of man in Dún Laoghaire

    Arrest of a man in his 40s in connection with the July murder; victim was shot in the upper leg at a prearranged meeting and bled to death. He was known to gardaí for associating with a south Dublin drug dealing street gang.

    victim, Mark Cullen, 39, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Cullensuspect, 40s, male