Two remanded in connection with feud-linked gun attack

Two men were remanded in custody on firearms offences today after the latest gun attack linked to a long-running feud between two criminal gangs.

They were arrested after officers probing a shooting on a house in Drimnagh, south Dublin, on Saturday night were fired upon during a high-speed chase just minutes later.

David Roche, (aged 25), and Joseph Redmond, (aged 31), appeared at Dublin District Court charged with possession of a handgun.

They were remanded to appear before Cloverhill Court tomorrow.

Detectives believe the gun attack on the house may be linked to one of the state’s bloodiest gangland feuds between two warring factions in the Crumlin/Drimnagh area of South Dublin.

The violent clash is believed to have claimed at least a dozen lives over the last 10 years.

It is understood a woman, who is not believed to have any links to feuding gangs, was in the house at the time but not injured.

Detective Garda Robert Lambert told the court that Roche, of Belclair Crescent, Poppintree, Ballymun, north Dublin was charged at Sundrive Road Garda Station last night.

After being cautioned he replied: “I don’t have any firearm in my possession.”

Detective Garda Lambert said Redmond of Kilworth Road, Drimnagh was charged at Crumlin Road Garda Station last night.

The court was told he made no reply after being cautioned.

The two men were charged under section 27 of the Firearms Act with possession of a gun.

Detectives rushed to the house on Keeper Road after reports that a shot was fired through the front window around 11.30pm.

Officers chased the gunmen, who fired at the patrol car before dumping their weapon seconds later at a car park on nearby St Peter’s Road.

Roche and Redmond sat quietly during the brief court hearing – Roche wearing a striped blue top and blue jeans with Redmond in a striped shirt and navy jeans.

No bail applications were made for the men by their solicitors.

The latest victim of the warring factions was 27-year-old Shay O’Byrne who was gunned down outside a house in Tallaght last month.

He was shot a number of times by a lone gunman on the driveway of a house in Tymon Park North on March 13. His girlfriend aged 26 was also shot in the leg. He was believed to have been heavily involved in criminality.