Dublin gangland shooting victim named as locals tell of 'wild west' style shoot-out and family 'in shock'

The victim of last night’s shooting in Dublin has been named locally as 20 year old Josh Itseli.

Josh, who is from the Kylemore area of Dublin, was shot numerous times in a shocking incident in the heart of Drimnagh on Sunday night.

Locals have told how as many as 10 shots were heard as a “Wild West” style shootout appeared to take place in the middle of the streets last night - resulting in Josh’s tragic death on the Knocknarea Road.

READ MORE: Live updates as investigation launched after fatal shooting in Dublin

It is believed the young man was shot following a collision between a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes vehicle, just outside a school, at 12:15AM on Bank Holiday Monday.

Gardai believe a dispute between two rival gangs spiralled out of control and turned into a violent incident that also saw gang members bringing a pipe bomb to the scene.

However sources say the device, which has since been made safe by the army’s Explosive Ordinance Unit on Monday, was not used, and was recovered near the scene.

Two men and a teenager in a badly damaged Ford Focus vehicle were then apprehended by armed gardai near the Our Lady of Good Counsel church nearby.

They were subsequently arrested and are now being detained at a number of Garda stations - while Gardai formally launch a murder investigation. The body has been removed from the scene.

Shocked family and friends of Josh arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon, and told the Irish Mirror that they are looking for answers as to what exactly happened.

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One family friend told us: “It’s shocking. You usually hear someone gets sick or died, but no, for just someone to finish everything in one minute. We are very shocked.”

The family friend told how Josh’s mother, who they said met with gardai earlier today, is in a state of shock.

“She knows everything. She’s shocked and is not saying anything for the moment. Just crying. We need to know what happened exactly. We know Josh since he was small. He goes to school here. He was born here”.

Family friends told us that Josh’s family are originally from the Congo, and that the young man was born and went to school here.

A damaged car at the scene on Knocknarea Rd in the Drimnagh area of south Dublin, where a man has died following a shooting in the early hours of Monday.
(Image: Evan Treacy/PA Wire)

He also has two sisters. The incident has been widely condemned, with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee stating: “The attack in Drimnagh last night is not something we will tolerate on our streets. 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 this Government.”

Meanwhile speaking at a press conference outside Sundrive Garda Station Superintendent Paul Maher confirmed that a murder investigation has been launched - and told how officers tried to save the victim’s life at the scene.

“Last night at approximately 12:15am gardai received a number of calls in relation to shots being fired at Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh, Dublin 12.

“Gardai responding to the scene discovered two vehicles, a black Mercedes Benz, a Volkswagen Golf, which appeared to have been in a collision. A male in his early 20s was discovered with gunshot wounds.

“Responding gardai offered first aid. Despite attempts by gardai, Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics the male was pronounced deceased at the scene. Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this time,” he said.

The Superintendent also confirmed the discovery of the pipe bomb device. Gardai became aware of a potential explosive device at Knocknarea Court.

“The army’s Explosive Ordinance Team was requested to attend the scene. The device was made safe by the army OD team and removed from the scene. This device will be subject to further technical examination.”

A Garda cordon at the scene on Knocknarea Rd in the Drimnagh area of south Dublin, where a man has died following a shooting in the early hours of Monday.
(Image: Evan Treacy/PA Wire)

He also told how armed gardai apprehended three suspects nearby - one of whom is a teenager. “Shortly after the reports of the shooting, the Garda Regional Armed Support Unit encountered three men on Slieve Bloom Road

“Two are in their early 20s and one is a teenage youth. The three men were arrested and are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

“The scene at Knocknarea Road has been sealed off. The body of the deceased remains at the scene at this time.

“A number of other vehicles have been damaged at Knocknarea Road and remain part of the scene and the technical examination.

“Another vehicle of interest has been identified and is also the subject of technical examination at the moment, and this is a silver Ford Focus.”

The senior officer also confirmed a murder investigation has been established - and that the body of the deceased remains at the scene.

“An incident room has been established at Sundrive Road Garda Station under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.

“A family liaison officer has been appointed and a formal identification of the deceased has still to take place.

“There are a number of scenes right now which are subject to a technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau at headquarters and the divisional scenes of crime unit.

“The office of the State Pathologist and the coroner have also been notified.” In an appeal for witnesses he added: “Investigating gardai are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

“In particular we are appealing for any person with dash cam or any other form of vehicle video footage and who were in the Knocknarea area last night between 11:30pm last night and 12:30 to make that footage available to An Garda Siochana.

“An Garda Siochana are also appealing to anyone with CCTV in the wider area of Cooley Road, Brandon Road, Crumlin Road, and the associated side roads to make that footage available to An Garda Siochana.

“Anyone with any information who can please assist An Garda Siochana with this murder investigation are asked to contact Sundrive Garda Station at 666 66 00 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda station."

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