Man arrested in connection with Josh Itseli shooting may have Kinahan links

Josh Itseli was shot on Knocknarea Rd, Drimnagh, at 12.15am on the bank holiday Monday. Picture: Facebook

One of the men arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in Dublin on Monday is believed to have links to Kinahan cartel associates.

The three men held as part of the investigation into the killing of Josh Itseli in Dublin on the bank holiday Monday have been released without charge, and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Armed gardaí arrested the three men on Slievebloom Road shortly after the shooting on Knocknarea Road, Drimnagh at 12.15am on Monday, gardaí said.

They were held at Dublin garda stations under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, until gardaí notified the public of their release yesterday morning.

Josh Itseli may have known the arrested men 

It is understood that the men who were arrested were known to Mr Itseli.

The 20 year-old victim, who was before the courts on drug dealing charges, was shot dead with a high-powered AR-15 assault rifle after the stolen car he was travelling in was rammed by another vehicle, it is understood.

One of the men arrested in connection with the shooting was known to gardaí, and had also been before the courts in recent weeks for a serious assault on a woman. He had then been granted bail, despite garda concerns that he would reoffend.

One of the men is also believed to have links to Kinahan cartel associates.

Gardaí investigating possible drugs link 

Gardaí are investigating whether Mr Itseli’s killing was related to the Dublin drugs trade and a feud between gangs.

Gardaí retrieved a military grade AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle from a hedge near the scene of the fatal Drimnagh attack, and are investigating whether it was used in Mr Itseli’s killing.

One line of inquiry in the investigation is that Mr Itseli was shot dead in an ambush by criminals who believed he was on route to carry out an attack — possibly with a pipe bomb.

Following Mr Itseli’s killing, a suspected pipe bomb was found at the scene and several families were evacuated from their homes very early on Monday morning before army bomb disposal experts removed the device, which will undergo forensic analysis.

Video clip may be from the scene

Video footage understood to be from the scene shows two men, one clearly wearing a balaclava and carrying what appears to be an assault rifle, jogging up the road after shots were fired. Multiple rifle casings and balaclavas were retrieved from the scene, it is understood.

A bullet also went through the local community centre.

An autopsy on the 20-year-old has been completed but the results are not being released for operational purposes, gardaí said.

Appeal for information on e-bike

Gardaí have conducted raids on a number of homes in connection with the investigation.

They have also issued an appeal for information on a black Talaria Sting electric motorbike.

The electric motorbike was observed around Dolphin Road, Crumlin Road, and Davitt Road on Sunday night and into the early hours of Monday morning, and it may have been used in connection with the incident.

Mr Itseli lived in the Kylemore area of Dublin for some years, not far from where he was shot dead.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sundrive Road Garda Station on 01-666-6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111, or any garda station.