Gardai suspect Dublin victim shot dead 'on way to bombing' in brutal mob ambush

Gardai yesterday uncovered an assault rifle believed to have been used in a “Wild West” gun attack that left a young man dead.

Officers probing the fatal shooting of Josh Itseli, 20, in Drimnagh, South Dublin, in the early hours of yesterday, found the AR15 assault rifle hidden in a hedge.

Footage shows a garda climbing a ladder to recover the weapon.

Tests will now be carried out on the rifle as part of the investigation into the shocking gun death.

READ MORE: Shocking footage as Gardaí recover automatic rifle believed to have been used in gangland shooting

It comes as officers suspect the man who was shot dead was ambushed while on his way to carry out a pipe bomb attack.

Itseli, from Kylemore in Dublin, was hit a number of times, amid a collision between a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes vehicle on the Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh at around 12.15am.

It is suspected as many as 20 rounds were fired in what locals described as a “Wild West” type shooting that played out right outside a school.

Josh Itseli, Drimnagh shooting victim

Sources say Itseli was with two other men and a teenager, who are suspected to have been on their way to carry out a pipe bomb attack.

Amid the gunfire the victim was left fatally wounded on the ground, while three males fled the scene.

A 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)

They were subsequently arrested by armed gardai after being stopped in a banged up Ford Focus nearby.

Sources say one of the arrested men is known to gardai.

They added gardai are now probing whether this man and his associates, including Itseli, were on their way to carry out the pipe bomb attack. It comes as an elderly woman living near the scene told the Irish Mirror: “I just heard three loud shots.

“It was pop pop, pop, and sounded like it came from down there. Then after it I heard further shots but they were much quicker as if it came from a different gun. It was terrifying. I didn’t want to look outside. It’s like the Wild West.”

A pipe bomb inside one of the vehicles was subsequently made safe by the army’s Explosive Ordinance Unit. Meanwhile, shocked family and friends of Josh arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon and told the Irish Mirror they are looking for answers as to what exactly happened.

One family friend told us: “It’s shocking. You usually hear someone gets sick or has died but for just someone to finish everything in one minute, we are very shocked.”

Josh Itseli, the victim of the shooting in Drimnagh

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

They added: “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. He also had two sisters.

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)

The incident has been widely condemned with Justice Minister Helen McEntee saying: “The attack in Drimnagh last night is not something we will tolerate on our streets.

“I commend the gardai 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, Supt Paul Maher, who confirmed a murder investigation has been launched, also told how his officers tried to save the victim’s life at the scene.

He added: “A male in his early 20s was discovered with gunshot wounds.

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

“The three men were arrested and are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.”

Gardai appealed for anyone with information to call them on 666 66 00, the Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda station.

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.