Gangland arrests after DNA taken from airbags

Gardaí have been able to identify two men for an attempted gangland murder after DNA samples were recovered from airbags in their car.

The airbags inflated when the duo rammed into the vehicle driven by their target — an underworld figure who has survived at least two attempts on his life last year.

Detectives believe the leaders of a notorious Dublin gang want him dead because of affairs they suspect he has had with their girlfriends.

In the most recent attack, on November 1, the 35-year-old man had arranged a meeting in a car park in Islandbridge, in the south inner city. Gardaí said another car — a red Honda Civic with a 08 D reg — rammed into the man’s BMW. He fled on foot but was chased by his attackers, who opened fire.

He ran into the nearby War Memorial Gardens and was pursued, but managed to escape unharmed.

The gunmen abandoned the car, which was recovered and subjected to tests by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Sources said the airbags in the car inflated due to the ramming and DNA samples were recovered from them. This has provided detectives with a key breakthrough as they were able to match the samples and identify two individuals.

The two men, in their 30s and believed to be drug addicts from Ballyfermot, were arrested on Monday under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

They can be held for a maximum of three days. It is understood they are not responding to garda questioning. It will be up the DPP to decide if the DNA evidence is enough to direct charges. Otherwise, gardaí will be asked to prepare a file for further consideration.

In the two previous attempts, the target was also shot at — in Clondalkin last March and Knocklyon last August. In the first incident he received gunshot wounds, while the attacker’s gun jammed in the second attack.