Gardai believe Drimnagh gun murder linked to drugs trade as victim named locally
This evening, three men remained in custody where they were being quizzed in connection with the murder.
Gardai are investigating if the victim was set up by his own associates when the car he was travelling was rammed and he was shot dead shortly after midnight.Detectives are also investigating if a violent young criminal, who is aged in his early 20s and suspected of previous gun attacks, was directly involved.The suspect in custody is also under investigation for a violent assault on a young woman in the city recently with gardai having grown "increasingly concerned" about his escalating involvement in criminality.The 20-year-old victim of a horror gangland shooting in Drimnagh has been named locally as Josh Itseli.Josh was shot a number of times near his home following a collision between two cars shortly after 12:15 am this morning.This evening, three men remained in custody where they were being quizzed in connection with the murder.Gardai are investigating reports that up to 20 shots were fired during the terrifying incident by the high-velocity weapon.A source has said that it is believed that the shooting is connected to the drugs trade in the south inner city.Locals have told of being woken by the sound of gunfire and cars being rammed as the victim, aged 20, was targeted from a moving vehicle.The victim of the murder has been named by people close to his family as 20-year-old Joshue ‘Josh’ Itseli.They said his family had been contacted by gardaí about the attack.They said Mr Itseli was born and grew up in Dublin and spent most of life in Dublin 15 but that he had been living elsewhere with his mother recently.One woman said the scenes were “like something from the Wild West” and that more than 20 shots were fired.It is believed attackers in a moving car targeted a man in another car on Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh shortly after midnight.Locals said the attackers may have tried to escape by reversing their vehicle up the road, but crashed into a tree and other vehicles before they ran off.Garda forensics pictured at the scene of the fatal shooting at Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh. Photo: Frank McGrathThree males, two in their 20s and another in his teens, were arrested near the scene, in a residential area near a school and church, while three wrecked cars are the focus of garda inquiries.The dead man’s body remained at the scene this afternoon while a post-mortem examination was being arranged and garda forensic experts examined the area.Speaking at Sundrive garda station on Monday afternoon, Supt Paul Maher said gardaí got a number of calls about shots being fired at Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh area at around 12.15am.“Gardaí responding to the scene discovered two vehicles, a Mercedes and a VW Golf, which appeared to have been in a collision. A male in his early 20s was discovered with gunshot wounds,” he said.“Responding gardaí offered first aid, and despite attempts by gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics, the male was pronounced deceased at the scene, and our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this time.”“Gardaí became aware of a potential explosive device at Knocknarea Court. The Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was requested to attend the scene and the device was made safe and removed.”Gardaí at the scene of the fatal shooting at Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh. Photo: Frank McGrath“Shortly after the reports of the shooting the garda regional Armed Support Unit encountered three men on Slievebloom Road. Two are in their early 20s and one is a teenage youth. The three men were arrested.”Supt Maher said a number of other vehicles were damaged on Knocknarea Road and remain part of the scene and the garda technical examination.“Another vehicle of interest has been identified on Sperrin Road, and is also the subject of technical examination at the moment, and this is a silver Ford Focus. An incident room has been established at Sundrive Road garda station.”Supt Maher said investigating gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward."In particular we are appealing for anyone with dashcam or other footage and who were in the Knocknarea Road area last night between 11.30pm and 12.30am to make that footage available to An Garda Siochana,” he said.“We are also appealing for anyone with CCTV footage in the wider area of Cooley Road, Brandon Road, Errigal Gardens, Crumlin Road, Slievenamon Road, Mourne Road and the associated side roads and who were in or around the Knocknarea area to make that available.“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Sundrive Road garda station on 01 6666600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111, or any garda station.”
