GARDAI are upping armed patrols as a feud between two groups of young thugs has heightened following the murder of Josh Itseli.
Three men, arrested wearing bullet proof vests within a kilometre of the shooting scene in the early hours of Monday, were released from garda custody this morning.
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Cops probing the killing in Drimnagh in Dublin’s south central are now preparing files for the director of public prosecutions.
Drug dealer Itseli, 20, was shot dead in the Knocknarea Road area after a collision between a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes car, which were both stolen.
Another car, a Ford Focus, crashed and was abandoned.
It is suspected that Itseli was part of a group who were on the way to target a rival’s home with a pipe bomb – which was later made safe – before being intercepted and rammed.
An AR-15 firearm was fired up to 20 times and evidence at the scene indicated that it was the only gun used in the incident.
It was later recovered by gardai from a nearby hedge.
One of the arrested suspects, in his early 20s, is violent and is known to gardai for being involved in the drugs trade.
Gardai believe he was the man armed with the deadly AR-15 firearm, but he was a known associate of Itseli.
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Investigations are continuing to establish if Itseli was shot accidentally by his associate or if he was set up by his own gang.
Itseli’s pals are involved in a feud against rivals in south central Dublin which has been escalating in recent months with a number of stabbings and incidents.
The men involved are seen as low to mid-level players but extremely reckless.
Threat of violence
The use of an AR-15 has sparked further concern and now armed gardai are being put on alert over fears there will be further incidents relating to the feud involving firearms.
A source said: “The Armed Support Unit will be on hand in the area until the threat for serious violence calms down.
“The fact that youngsters in their teens and early 20s have got access to an AR-15 is very concerning and is being taken very seriously.”
Appeal
Gardai also released a picture of a black Talaria Sting electric motorbike which was in the Drimnagh area in the run up to the murder which they say is connected to the incident.
They are appealing for further information in relation to it.
Anyone with any information that can assist gardai with their investigation is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Any information received will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.
