Gunmen with suspected AK47 assault rifles kill young man as terrified families evacuated
The victim of this morning's shooting has been named locally as Josh Itseli. Picture: Facebook
Gunmen with suspected assault rifles shot a young man dead in a residential Dublin neighbourhood early on Monday morning.
Terrified families were then evacuated from their homes after a suspected pipe bomb was found close to where the young man was shot dead.
The victim of Monday morning's shooting has been named locally as 20-year-old Josh Itseli.
A teenager and two men in their early 20s have been arrested in connection with the killing and a number of vehicles have been seized.
An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle has been seized by gardaí which is believed to be linked to the attack.
The killing is suspected to have been gangland-related.
The fatal shooting took place at around 12.15am on the Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh.
Multiple gunshots were heard by local residents at the time of the killing.
The victim was travelling in a car when he was attacked, it is understood.
His vehicle was in a collision and he was shot at in what appears to have been a targeted hit, it is understood.
An improvised explosive device (IED) was also found.
Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts were called to the scene and removed the device from the area.
Balaclavas and rifle casings are also understood to have been recovered from the scene.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned Monday's violence.
"The attack in Drimnagh last night is not something we will tolerate on our streets," she wrote on X.
"I commend the Gardaí for responding quickly, resulting in the speedy arrest of suspects."
Superintendent Paul Maher said that at approximately 12.15am on Monday gardaí received multiple calls about shots being fired in Knocknarea Rd, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.
“Gardaí responding to the scene discovered two vehicles, a black Mercedes Benz and a black Volkswagen Golf which appeared to have been in a collision. A male in his early 20s was discovered with gunshot wounds,” Supt Maher said.
“Responding gardaí offered first aid and despite attempts by gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this time.”
Shortly after the shooting was reported, the regional garda Armed Support Unit encountered three men on Slievebloom Road - two in their early 20s and one teenager - he said.
They were arrested and detained in Dublin garda stations under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
A number of other vehicles have been damaged at Knocknarea Rd and remain part of the scene and the technical examination.
Another vehicle of interest - a silver Ford Focus - has been identified on Sperrin Rd and is also the subject of technical examination.
The body of the victim remained at the scene today while a post-mortem was being arranged.
The office of State Pathologist and the coroner have been notified and a family liaison officer has been appointed.
Families were evacuated from their homes after the suspected pipe bomb was found near the shooting, Sinn Féin Cllr Daithí Doolan, chairperson of the Joint Policing Committee and a local resident, said.
Monday's violence was an attack on the whole community, he said.
“An alleged pipe bomb was found in a car at the scene. It put people at risk.
“People were terrified. What happened last night will live on in people’s memories for a long time.
“Children, babies in buggies, were taken out of their houses in the middle of the night. It’s absolutely unacceptable that criminals are doing this to good, decent hard-working communities.
“But I applaud the emergency services for their fast response in getting people out of their homes last night.”
He commended Solas, the local youth service, for opening its doors today for any young people who need support or counselling in the area.
“I could hear the helicopter above for a long, long time last night and you knew this was something serious,” he said.
“Blue tape is everywhere today, guards are everywhere, roads are sealed-off.
“I have to emphasise that anyone with any information – no matter how small or insignificant they think it is – to please communicate it to the gardaí. Because those involved in this awful crime need to be brought to justice.
"We cannot allow criminals involved in gun crime to be holding communities like Drimnagh hostage."
Joan Collins, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central, said that the local community was shocked by the killing.
“It’s tragic news. People are shocked in the area. I pass on my condolences, sympathy and solidarity to the family and solidarity to the community. It’s terrible news and my thoughts are with his family and friends.”
The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) from an incident room at Sundrive Road Garda Station.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with dashcam or other video footage in the Knocknarea Road area between 11.30pm on Sunday and 12.30am on Monday and CCTV footage from the wider area to make it available to gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
