A RENEWED appeal for information about the gangland-style execution of a drug dealer has been made on the 10th anniversary of his fatal shooting.

Danny Regan, 27, was found shot dead inside a heavily-secured house at the junction of Cooper Lane and Station Road, Haydock, on Sunday, December 15, 2002.

It is believed that three days earlier a gunman entered the house via the conservatory, armed with either a semi-automatic or pump-action shotgun.

The father-of-two was fatally wounded in the chest.

Mr Regan had been living in Haydock for about a year before his death and he was said to keep a low-key presence in the home, described as a “sleepy hollow” by police because of its location.

He was originally from Leeds but also spent a lot of time in the Sheffield area, where he socialised.

A decade long police investigation has so far failed to bring the hitman to justice.

Pat Regan, Danny’s mother, became a prominent anti-gun crime campaigner and was one of the founder members of Mothers Against Guns.

She died in 2008 after being stabbed to death by her 21-year-old grandson Rakeim Regan, who was later diagnosed with severe paranoid schizophrenia.

Danny’s brother Shane Fenton, hopes the justice his mum fought for will one day be delivered.

He said: “Every year we as a family feel the pain of not knowing who killed Danny.

“I would urge anyone who has a heart and can help the police to bring those responsible to justice to do so.

“After Danny was murdered she worked hard with young people to help them understand the dangers of being involved in gangs and selling drugs.

“She didn’t want other families to suffer the way we did.

“The loss of a child is hard to come to terms with and it was soul destroying for my mum. Sadly, she died and was not able to see justice done.

“Hopefully someone will come forward with information which will find the justice my mum sought after Danny’s death.”

Detective Superintendent Mike Shaw said: “Mrs Regan worked tirelessly following her son’s death in a bid to stop others from suffering the agonising ordeal she and her family had endured.

“Danny’s death had a profound effect on Pat and she always said she would not rest until those who killed her son were brought to justice.

“Ten years may have passed, but our commitment to tracing those who murdered Danny is as strong as ever.”

 


St Helens Star: An e-fit of the suspect polcie want to trace.

 

DETECTIVES believe an e-fit (above) drawn up in the wake of Danny Regan’s murder a decade ago could still prove the key to unravelling the puzzle behind his death.

The image is of a man seen near to Danny’s home on the night of the murder, Thursday, December 12 2002.

A silver or grey Rover car, registration number J609 MBU which had been stolen from the Manchester area earlier that day and was later found burnt out on Station Road, Haydock, is believed to have been used by the killer or killers.

Detective Superintendent Mike Shaw, said: “We believe Danny had connections in both Yorkshire, particularly the Leeds area, and Merseyside and I would appeal to anyone who may have information, which could help us with our inquiries to contact us.

“If anyone has information, but is worried about coming forward I’d like to take this opportunity to reassure them that there are special measures which we can put in place to protect witnesses in serious cases such as this.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0800 555 111.