Alleged Irish mobster shot dead in pub

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DUBLIN, Ireland, March 6 (UPI) -- Investigators believe a man gunned down as he sat with his father and brother in an Irish pub was killed for stealing from a drug gang, The Irish Sun reported.

The newspaper, citing sources involved in the investigation, said Paul Cullen, 26, was believed to have stolen both drugs and money from his associates. The killing was carried out Sunday in the Cabra House, a pub across the street from Cullen's home in Dublin.

"The gang of criminals are low level and just wanted to send a message that they won't tolerate anyone cheating them," a source told The Irish Sun. "Cullen had received many threats but thought he was safe because he wasn't dealing with serious players."

Cullen, his brother and their father, who is in a wheelchair, had gone to the pub to watch the soccer match between Tottenham and Arsenal. Cullen was shot by a man wearing a mask who came into the pub and sprayed him with gunfire, putting six bullets into his body and head, the Irish Independent reported.

Cullen served time in prison for storing marijuana resin at home and assaulting a female police officer. He was an associate of Eamon Dunne, who was gunned down in a pub in 2010.