‘Like the Wild West’ – Young man dies in hail of bullets as bomb squad rush to scene of terrifying Dublin attack

Locals have told of being woken by the sound of gunfire as cars were also rammed during the attack as the victim, aged 20, was targeted from a moving vehicle.

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.

Three men 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 remains at the scene while a post-mortem examination is being arranged and garda forensic experts examine the area.

It is understood gardaí have recovered three cars of interest and are searching for a van that may be connected to the killing.

On Monday afternoon, the Defence Forces confirmed that its bomb disposal experts had been called in to deal with a suspect device in the aftermath of the attack.

"On Sunday night 05 May 24, Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts responded to a request for assistance from An Garda Síochána, in relation to a potential explosive device in the Dublin City region,” a spokesperson said.

"Following an assessment by our EOD team this device was removed from the scene, and the scene was made safe. This operation has concluded and all elements have been returned to Barracks.”

One local resident said she was awoken by the sound of gunfire.

“It seems there was shots fired from a moving car at a second car, and then there was a crash. Then I could hear around 20 shots or more and a lot of shouting,” she said.

“Then a car reversed up the road at speed and I've heard since that it was crashing into things as it was moving back, and it drove away. It was like something from the Wild West.”

One person was seen running from the scene.

Other residents told of seeing a car chase on the road just before the gun attack.

Two badly damaged cars, a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes, are still at the scene after colliding at the junction of Curlew Road and Knocknarea Road outside Our Lady's school.

On nearby Sperrin Road, gardaí have sealed off the road near a church where there was a silver Ford Focus with severe damage.

The rear passenger side was crushed and the rear light cluster on the driver’s side was dislodged. There was also damage to the front of the car and the two tyres on the passenger side were punctured, with damage to the wheel rims. The rear door on the passenger side was open and the rear windows were open.

‘We dropped to the floor, we could hear shouting’

Another local resident said she heard two cars crash before hearing bursts of gunfire and shouting.

“It was late and the first thing we heard was the crash, and then very quickly there was around 10 shots in bursts of three of four. We dropped to the floor in the house, and we could hear shouting,” she said.

“Then when we felt it was safe and the emergency services arrived we could see the medics down around the driver's door of one of the cars but outside it.”

Gardaí said they were investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the early hours of Monday.

At about 12.15am, a man sustained fatal injuries after being targeted on the Knocknarea Road in the Crumlin-Drimnagh area of Dublin 12, gardaí said.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee hit out at the attack.

“The attack in Drimnagh last night was completely unacceptable and is not something we will tolerate on our streets," she said.

“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 and one of the party’s candidates for European elections in Dublin, Daithí Doolan, lives a five-minute bike ride away from the scene of the crime.

He said he was awoken “very late last night” by a helicopter flying over his house. He said this wouldn't be unusual, but the helicopter flew over the houses for a long period of time.

“What made it unusual was the length of time it was there,” he told the Irish Independent.

“But we didn’t expect to wake up to the news this morning that a young man was shot dead.

“Last night's shooting here in Drimnagh has left a young man dead, a family grieving and a community in shock. It was an attack on the whole community.

“It is hugely important that those involved in this terrible incident are apprehended and are brought to justice."

The scene is currently preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Three men have been arrested and are being detained at Garda stations in the Dublin Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

The investigation into the incident is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and an incident room has been established at Sundrive Road garda station.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to these incidents to come forward.

Anyone with any information that can assist gardaí 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.

More to follow...