THREE men arrested in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old man in Dublin earlier this week have been released without charge.
Josh Itseli, who was known to Gardai as a drug dealer, was shot dead in the Knocknarea Road area of Drimnagh at 12.15am on Monday morning.
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The three, two men in their 20s and a teenager, were wearing bulletproof vests when they were found by Gardai near the area the young man died.
They were detained at Garda Stations in the Dublin Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939 before being released without charge last night after two days of questioning.
In a statement this morning, a Garda spokesperson confirmed that investigations into the incident “remain ongoing” and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The chief suspect, who was one of the three released from custody last night, is well-known to gardai and was an associate of the victim.
He is heavily involved in the drugs trade and is suspected of being involved in other shootings and was targeted in a stabbing attack recently.
A post-mortem examination on the body of Josh Itseli has shown that he died from gunshot wounds after being shot several times.
A theory that the young man, who gardai believe was armed with the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle that was recovered in Drimnagh, was shot as part of a feud among criminal gangs is being probed.
A pipe bomb that was made safe was recovered from the scene alongside the AR-15 rifle.
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Gardai also seized a Silver Ford Focus in the Sperrin Road area and a black Mercedes Benz and a black Volkswagen Golf from the scene of the crime.
A fourth vehicle, a van, was also believed to be in the area at the time.
Gardai have also issued an appeal for information about a stolen electric motorbike, which they believe is connected to the incident.
A spokesperson said: “Gardai in Sundrive Road continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting incident that occurred in the early hours of Monday 6th May 2024, on Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12.
‘STRICTEST CONFIDENCE’ VOW
“Gardaà are appealing for information in relation to a black Talaria Sting electric motorbike which is understood to have been used in connection with this incident.
“The electric motorbike was observed in the vicinity of Dolphin Road, Crumlin Road and Davitt Road on Sunday night, 5th May 2024 and into the early hours of Monday morning, 6th May 2024.
“Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have observed a black Talaria Sting electric motorbike in the vicinity of Dolphin Road in recent days.
“The motorbike has been seized by investigating GardaÃ, who are also seeking the rightful owner of the vehicle.
“Gardai are also appealing to any taxi drivers, public service vehicle (PSV) drivers and any motorists who observed pedestrians, or who may have been approached by pedestrians, on Davitt Road in the early hours of Monday morning, 6th May 2024.
“Anyone with any information that can assist Gardaà 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.”
The spokesperson added: “Any information received will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.”
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