A MAN being hunted by police investigating a violent kidnapping in East Lancashire has been killed in a mass brawl in Ireland.

Jason Lee Martin was stabbed in a 20-man fight outside a pub in Ballyfermot, Dublin.

Detectives have revealed he was a prime suspect in the ongoing investigation into the kidnapping of Paul Brady in Weir on August 1.

Father-of-four Mr Brady has not been seen since he was grabbed by a group of between eight and 10 armed men after visiting a housing development near Bacup, where he was site manager.

The detective in charge of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, has previously said he believed Mr Brady’s disappearance was linked to ‘organised’ drug gangs in Manchester.

His family have also said they fear the worse as he has not been in contact, although they are trying to remain optimistic.

Mr Martin, 39, was found at the side of the Hannigen’s bar in the early hours of Sunday morning and was rushed to hospital where he died a few hours later.

It is understood that British police are in the process of exchanging DNA evidence with their Irish counterparts as part of the investigation.

Det Supt Hunter said: “Jason Martin is somebody we have been actively looking for since Paul was kidnapped and we have been making inquiries with our colleagues in a number of European countries in a bid to trace him.

“The information we have received from our colleagues in Ireland, however, has led us to believe that Mr Martin was the victim of a murder over the weekend.

“I would appeal for anyone who knows where Mr Martin has been since this offence was committed or has any information to get in touch with us.”