Missing Dublin man may have been murdered and buried in Co Kildare

A man missing for nearly a month may be murdered and buried in a wood in Leixlip, it was claimed.

Philip Finnegan (24), from Mary Aikenhead House near St James' Hospital in Dublin has not been seen since Wednesday, August 10, when he was spotted in Co Kildare with a pal. It is believed his life was in danger after he refused to pay money to associates of jailed mob boss Brian Rattigan. It is suspected Rattigan personally called Philip from a phone smuggled into Portlaoise Prison in the days before his disappearance.

Two men recently released from prison who had been associates of Philip are suspected of abducting him on the day he disappeared.

Investigators are keeping an open mind on the disappearance, but the main line of inquiry is that he was killed.

It is understood gardaí from Leixlip are assisting with the investigation.

Philip previously escaped death when a gunman opened fire on him and another man in a drive-by shooting near his home in July 2013.

Five shots were fired, but neither man was injured. They refused to co-operate with Gardaí, as did several witnesses. In December that year Philip was caught up in a bloody brawl when two rival groups met by accident in McDonald’s on Grafton Street.

Last year he was acquitted of firearms possession after a semi-automatic handgun capable of firing blanks was found during a raid on his home.

Philip is described as approximately 5’4” in height, with dark brown hair and blue eyes.

When last seen he was wearing a light grey Fila top with a full-length zip to the front, dark grey Adidas tracksuit bottoms with three white stripes down the legs and royal blue Adidas runners.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilmainham Garda Station on 01-666 9700, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.