Spain
John O'Neill shot dead outside Coco's Bar in Benalmadena
Wed 28th July
An Irishman has been shot dead following a row outside a bar on the Costa del Sol in Spain.
John O'Neill, a 40-year-old plasterer from Coolock in Dublin, was shot at Coco's Bar in Benalmadena, near Malaga.
It is understood the shooting took place following a row at around 3am this morning.
One of the men involved left the scene and came back with a gun a short time later. Mr O'Neill was shot in the stomach and died at the scene.
Spanish police do not believe the shooting was gang-related and are said to be following a definite line of inquiry.
Mr O'Neill was attending a friend's wedding in Spain and was with a group of friends at the time he was shot.
He was the father of a three-year-old boy and a nine-month-old girl.
The parents of Mr O'Neill said their son was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Speaking through a family friend, his parents said he was an innocent man with no criminal record.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance.
It is also expected a post-mortem examination will be carried out on Mr O'Neill in Spain.
