'Guinea Pig' killers may have failed in earlier hit

Mark Desmond (left), a car burned out near the scene of the shooting and, bottom right, gardai cover a body at the scene. Photos: Dave Conachy, Arthur Carron

Ken Foy

Gardaí are probing whether gangland criminal Mark Desmond was murdered in a revenge shooting by a gang who previously carried out a botched attempt on his life.

Desmond (41), who was known as the 'Guinea Pig', was killed in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, last Friday evening.