Victim was found shot dead in a filled bath in Shoot Up Hill

Detectives investigating the murder of an Irishman in an execution-style killing in Kilburn are turning to his homeland for vital clues.

Mark Connor, 30, was found fully clothed lying in a bath of water in a flat in Claire Court, Shoot Up Hill, with a gunshot wound to the head on Valentine’s Day, 2001.

Little is known about the events leading up to the murder, but he was shot in the back of the head and had six other wounds to the back and side of his head caused by a blunt instrument before he was dumped in the bath.

Cold-case detectives who are reviewing the case 11 years on, believe the key to solving his murder lies in the Dublin area, a police source from the Irish capital has revealed.

Mr Connor is thought have been one of the biggest drug dealers in west Dublin before he moved to London in the 1990s.

The father-of-one owned three homes in England and is believed to have been involved in smuggling drugs with Liverpool-based Curtis Warren, who is now serving 13 years for trafficking cocaine.

The scale of Mr Connor’s network was revealed when a man was jailed in 1999 for laundering cash owned by the dealer.

Five years ago his heartbroken sisters Lorraine, 45, Wendy, 39, and 37-year-old Anne Connor, came over from their home in Bally Fermont, Dublin, to make an anniversary appeal.

The sisters said: “We are a very close family and we miss Mark very much. Every day is a struggle living without him.

“He loved his son, (who was 10 at the time), and all of his family very much.

“It is not until this type of thing happens to you that you realise how much heartache it causes to so many family and friends.”

At the time of his death, Mr Connor, who also went by the name Peter John Joyce, was living with his partner Amanda Joyce in Slough, Berkshire.

His body was discovered by Ms Joyce who was given a 12-month conditional discharge for perverting the course of justice after she admitted leaving the scene with two cheques worth �17,500.

Two men were also charged with same offence, but discharged after prosecution offered no evidence.

Three other men were arrested, bailed to return and later released with no further action in 2001.

Anyone with information should call 0208 358 0300 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.