Gangland murder victim Brandon Ledwidge was due in court on drug charges

Murdered Brandon Ledwidge who was shot dead in Finglas, Dublin last Saturday night, was due in court today on drug possession and intent to sell charges.

Ledwidge (23), who was shot several times as he answered the door of his home on Barry Drive at around 7pm, was facing three separate charges for possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent of sale or supply.

Two charges relating to the possession of cocaine and diamorphine and two for possession for sale or supply were due to be heard today.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem has been completed by the State Pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis, however “the results of which are not being released for operational reasons” according to the gardaí.

“A technical examination of the scene has since been completed by the Garda Technical Bureau.

“The investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and a Garda Family Liaison Officer (FLO) has been appointed to liaise with the family of the deceased,” a garda spokesman said.

Brandon Ledwidge was not considered a serious criminal but had links to gangsters “far higher up the food chain than him”, according sources.

A gunman, who had called to the home, opened fire, shooting the victim four times in the head and body.

He was shot at close range and “didn’t stand a chance”, sources added.

Gardaí are investigating whether his fatal shooting is linked to a recent verbal row he had with a local criminal, with whom he was previously associated.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Several tributes to the young man have been posed on social media since the killing, with friends and family dedicating Facebook posts to him.

An aunt wrote that she was “broken” after her nephew’s death, adding that she considered him to be one of her closest pals.

“My nephew/brother… My forever best friend… I loved you from the first day of your life and I’ll love you till the last day of my life,” she wrote.

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.