Man who feared for his life and wore bullet proof vest everyday found in shallow grave in woods
Philip Finnegan, 24, had been missing from his home in inner city Dublin for three weeks
A MAN who was so scared for his life he wore a bullet proof vest everyday was found brutally murdered in a shallow grave in woodland.
The body of Philip Finnegan was discovered by horrified members of the public in Rahin Wood, County Kildare, Ireland on Friday.
The 24-year-old had been missing from his home in inner city Dublin for three weeks.
He was found wearing the vest which he reportedly wore as he was terrified of being targeted by criminals in the Dublin underworld.
Irish cops have now launched a murder probe into the slaying.
A post mortem carried out over the weekend's findings were not released with police citing operational reasons for keeping them secret.
The scene has remained cordoned off as forensics continue to work but reports have emerged that someone had attempted to set fire to the body, charring his clothes.
Yesterday the revealed that the prime suspect in the murder had served time for another serious offence.
A source said: “He is very dangerous and spent a number of years inside.
“It is horrific to think that this man came out of prison and may have committed a horribly gruesome gangland murder.
"Gardai are constantly playing catch-up because of these bail laws.”
Finnegan had been involved in the crime in the Irish capital with some reports that he had rowed with serious criminals over money shortly before his disappearance.
Dublin detectives believe the 24-year-old and another man were attacked in the street just before he vanished.
Tributes poured in for the victim on social media with his friend Deborah Louise writing she was “so sad...” and that she was “thinking” of the family “and the kids”.
Another pal Samantha O’Neill said: “Rip Philly. Thinking of his ma and da and brothers and sisters and three beautiful kids at this sad time xxxxx sleep tight pal xxxx.”
Friend Shane O’Keefe posted: “I’m in total shock, was such a sound young fella, rest in peace pal and condolences to the family.”
Sinn Fein TD Aonghus O Snodaigh said Philip’s murder was “another sad chapter in the ongoing carnage being wrought on our communities”.
He called for increased targeting of drug gangs and asked that those involved in violent drug gangs in the city end their feuds.”
“These drugs gangs continue to suck young men and women in to their clutches," he added.
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