Three weeks after a shocking double murder took place in The Dubliner, Bratislava's popular Irish pub, police still have little to say about the event itself, as well as about the man arrested for the crime, Mikuláš Polóny.
Polóny, 22, is being held in custody on two counts of murder and one count each of attempted murder, injury to a person, illegal possession of arms, and blackmail. Press have reported that Polóny belonged to a gang that terrorises pub and restaurant owners and demands protection money.
One of the men murdered in the incident, Ján Š., ran a Bratislava restaurant called Podháj along with his brother, Marián Š. The activities of the two businessmen are also under investigation as they appear to have involved blackmail and other underworld activities, said an investigator of the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
At 21:00 on July 7, Polóny allegedly walked into the crowded Irish pub, which is located on Sedlárska Street in the Bratislava Old Town, and sat down with Ján and Marián Š. Within minutes, an argument began, and Polóny rose and shot both brothers, killing Ján and wounding Marián in the shoulder.
As he ran out of the pub, Polóny allegedly fired one shot behind him in an attempt to again hit Marián Š. Instead, he struck and killed Tomáš Arnold, a 26-year-old money market trader celebrating a graduation with friends.
The United States Embassy in Bratislava issued an administrative notice to its staff on July 13 to warn about the risk of visiting the establishment. "The Embassy is aware that many Americans patronise this pub, and is concerned about their welfare. The Embassy urges Americans to avoid unnecessary risks, and to exercise appropriate caution," the statement said.
