Notorious killer Karl Breen has been released from prison – and posted pictures on his newly set up Facebook account to celebrate his release.

Breen (34) – who was jailed in 2007 for the fatal stabbing of his friend Martin McLaughlin – was released from Mountjoy Prison over the weekend.

The leader of the infamous D22 gang – based in Clondalkin - posted a picture of himself in the early hours of Sunday morning in which his gang tattoos are clearly evident.

A second image, posted late last night, shows a smiling Breen making a rude gesture to the camera while relaxing in bed.

Breen stabbed Martin McLaughlin in the early hours of Janaury 1st, 2006, during a cocaine and booze-fuelled session at Jurys Croke Park Hotel.

He was dubbed the Champagne killer because he had ordered a bottle of celebratory bubbly before stabbing McLaughlin in the arm, the back and the chest, puncturing his heart.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Karl Breen in an image on a Facebook account Karl Breen in an image on a Facebook account / Facebook

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Before being arrested and jailed, he ruled his Clondalkin-based drug gang with an iron fist.

The mob were believed to be behind four separate gangland murders.

Gardai now fear that Breen?s release will spark a wave of violence between rival criminals across the city.

Breen was moved to a high- protection wing of Limerick Prison for his own safety after falling-out with its most dangerous inmates, according to informed prison sources.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Karl Breen pictured after his sentencing in 2007 Karl Breen pictured after his sentencing in 2007 / Facebook

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He was taken to Limerick after a similar row flared up with convicted killer Warren Dumbrell in the high-security Midlands Prison.

And before that, he and John Gilligan’s associate Brian Meehan became arch-enemies after Breen allegedly called Meehan a “rat”, sources say.

Breen and killer Derek ‘Del Boy’ Hutch led a riot in the Midlands Prison in 2011 in which 50 inmates fought with wardens.

The outbreak of violence resulted in one inmate was injured before officers in riot gear brought the situation under control.

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Karl Breen pictured after his sentencing in 2007 Karl Breen pictured after his sentencing in 2007 / Facebook

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Whatsapp Karl Breen pictured after his sentencing in 2007

Sources said that even while in prison, Breen is believed by gardai to have organised gun and pipe-bomb attacks on his enemies.

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