Man killed by gunmen at weigh-in for Kavanagh's title fight in Dublin
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Updated 06/02/2016 at 10:10 GMT
One man has been killed and two more injured after gunmen opened fire during a WBO title fight weigh-in at Dublin's Regency Hotel.
Police tape cordoning off the Regency Airport Hotel in Dublin
Image credit: AFP
Boxers Jamie Kavanagh and Antonio Joao Bento were at the hotel for the weigh in ahead of their WBO European Lightweight title fight in the Irish capital on Saturday night.
Around 200 to 300 people were present at the weigh-in when gunmen carrying AK47 assault rifles entered the room. They reportedly sought out their targets rather than firing indiscriminately.
Police suspect that the killing is gang-related, and have sealed off the hotel pending further investigation.
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Police remove a body from the scene of a shooting at the Regency Hotel in Dublin
Image credit: Reuters
The bout was due to be held at Dublin's National Stadium on Saturday, but has now been cancelled.
Chief Superintendent Barry O'Byrne held a press conference on Friday evening: "Gardai believe that at least four people were involved in the incident," he said.
"Two were described at wearing police style uniforms similar to a SWAT team uniform, including metal helmets.
"The men were armed with automatic weapons. Two others were carrying hand guns.
"One was a man disguised as a woman and wearing an auburn wig and the other was stocky and wearing a beige cap."
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Police and forensic officers attend the scene of a shooting at the Regency Hotel in Dublin
Image credit: Reuters
The BBC report that one of the gunmen pointed his weapon at BBC Radio Foyle reported Kevin McAnena, who said he had "never felt terror like it".
Foyle added that he saw one of the shootings from about six feet away - the victim of which was the man who died.
"I heard two loud gunshots from outside coming into the hotel," he said.
"At which point, two men, who I thought were [police] officers - turns out they were just dressed up in uniform - came in with guns."
"The man I saw shot is the man that is now dead... That same gunman then looked over at me and pointed the gun at me," he said.
"It's so surreal, it just happened so quickly, right in front of me. A man was shot dead six feet away from me - it's hard to gather your thoughts."
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Irish boxer Jamie Kavanagh celebrates a win over Reynaldo Mora
Image credit: Reuters
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