Patrols stepped up after feud shooting

Gardaí have stepped up the number of armed patrols and checkpoints in Dublin after weekend violence that left one man dead and two others in hospital.

Drug dealer Paul Cunningham, 23, was shot dead in Mulhuddart early yesterday in what gardaí believe was part of a criminal feud which could escalate.

Two other men were being treated for shotgun wounds this morning after a row between members of the travelling community at Dunsink Lane in Finglas.

Three men were arrested after the incident yesterday and are being held at Blanchardstown Garda Station.

They can be held for 72 hours under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.

Gardaí began Operation Crossover II in recent weeks to tackle about a dozen gangland figures and their associates in west Dublin.

Officers have already seized several firearms and quantities of ammunition at checkpoints.

Cunningham is thought to have attempted to rob the Trustee Savings Bank in Sutton Cross, Dublin, on November 11 along with Declan Curran.

Curran was arrested at the scene but died last weekend of suspected natural causes while in custody at Cloverhill Prison.