12 released in Russell killing probe

Twelve men arrested as part of a major garda crackdown on crime following a gangland killing were released without charge today.

They were detained yesterday with another man, who remains in custody, in a series of dawn raids by 120 officers at a dozen homes across north Dublin.

Three of the men were released earlier today, while another nine were released tonight.

Computers and documents were seized in the operation, along with small quantities of drugs, which were taken away for examination.

Gardai said the raids were organised by detectives investigating the murder of Anthony Russell on Friday.

The 30-year-old suspected drug dealer was gunned down as he drank with associates in the Ardlea Inn, Artane.

The massive garda operation began shortly after 6am and involved officers from the Special Detective Unit, National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Coolock gardai and other district detective units.

The 13 arrested men were held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at a number of garda stations across north Dublin.

They were questioned at Whitehall, Santry, Clontarf, Coolock and Store Street stations.