Three men arrested and potential explosive device found after young man shot dead in Dublin
The scene is currently preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
THREE MEN HAVE been arrested after a young man was shot dead in Dublin last night.
Gardaí said they received a number of calls just after midnight in relation to shots being fired at Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.
Gardaí responding discovered a man in his early 20s with gunshot wounds. Despite attempts by gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics to administer first aid, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardaí also discovered two vehicles – a black Mercede Benz and a black Volkswagon Golf – which appeared to have been in a collision.
A potential explosive device was also discovered nearby on Knocknarea Court. The Army EOD team attended the scene and made the device safe.
Following the shooting, a Garda Regional Armed Support Unit encountered three men on nearby Slievebloom Road. The men – two aged in their early 20s and one a teenager – were arrested. They are being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
In a statement today, Superintendent Paul Maher said:
“The scene at Knocknarea Road has been sealed off. The body of the deceased remains at the scene at this time.
A number of other vehicles have been damaged on Knocknarea Road and remain part of the scene and technical examination.
Gardaí discovered another vehicle of interest – a silver Ford Focus – on Sperrin Road which they are examining.
An incident room has been established at Sundrive Road Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer and a family liaison officer has been appointed. Formal identification of the dead man is still to take place.
Gardaí said a number of scenes are now subject of technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau, Garda Headquarters and Divisional Scenes of Crime Units, and the office of the state pathologist and the Coroner have been notified.
Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.
Reaction
Commenting on the shooting, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said:
“The attack in Drimnagh last night was completely unacceptable and is not something we will tolerate on our streets.
I commend the gardaí for responding quickly, resulting in the speedy arrest of suspects. Tackling crime and ensuring safer streets continues to be a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.
Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan, who lives in the area, said that last night’s shooting was an “attack on the whole community” in Drimnagh.
“Last night’s shooting here in Drimnagh has left a young man dead, a family grieving and a community in shock,” he said.
“It is hugely important that those involved in this terrible incident are apprehended and are brought to justice.
“Drimnagh is a great community. We will not let those involved in gun crime hold this community hostage.”
“I would strongly encourage anyone who has any information to please contact the Gardaí,” Doolan concluded.
Doolan also passed on sympathies to the deceased man’s family and friends.
Gardaí said they are appealing for any person with dashcam or other form of vehicle video footage and who were in the Knocknarea Road area between 11.30pm and 12.30pm last night to make any footage available to them.
Anyone with CCTV footage in the wider area of Cooley Road, Brandon Road, Errigal Gardens, Crumlin Road, Slievenamon Road, Mourne Road and associated side roads and who were in the Knocknarea Road area between 11.30pm and 12.30pm last night is asked to make it available.
Anyone with any information that can assist gardaí in this murder investigation is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 666 6600, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald