Gardaí probe four violent incidents occurring in small area of Dublin this week 

There is suspicion that some of the incidents, including reports of two gun attacks, could be related as investigations continue

Local sources suspect the attempted ramming incident on Wednesday may have been a retaliation of the previous gun attacks.

Gardai are investigating reports of two gun attacks, an attempted ramming incident, and a suspected arson attack over four days this week within a small radius of Dublin’s south west city area.

There are suspicions that at least some of the incidents could be related, but investigations are at an early stage.

In the first incident, last Monday night, shots were discharged at a van in Inchicore. A father and son were sitting in the parked car on Jamestown Rd when a masked man came up beside them on a e-scooter and opened fire.

None of the occupants were hit.

On that incident, Garda HQ said: “Gardaí are investigating an incident of a discharge of a firearm that occurred on Jamestown Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8 on Monday night, at approximately 10pm.

“It is alleged that shots were fired at a passing vehicle and there have been no report of any persons injured, at this time.” 

A second gun attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when shots were fired in a new apartment complex off the Naas Rd, a 10-minute walk from Monday’s shooting.

Garda HQ said: “Shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Gardaí from Sundrive Rd [Crumlin] responded to reports of a firearm discharge outside an apartment complex on Naas Road. 

"No one was injured and only minor damage was caused to the property.” 

It is thought the target on Wednesday was the same as Monday, this time at his home at Castleview Apartments.

In the third incident, later on Wednesday, there are reports that a car drove across the Naas Rd into Bluebell and attempted to drive over some young people outside the row of shops there.

Local sources suspect this may have been in retaliation to the gun attacks, but it is not clear if the young people outside the shops had any connection with the shootings.

In a fourth incident, reports circulated of a petrol bomb attack on a house in the Walkinstown area — a short drive away from the first three incidents.

Garda HQ said the only incident reported was fire damage to the wall of a house in Crumlin, which adjoins Walkinstown, at around 10pm on Thursday.

It is not clear if this incident is connected with the other ones.

There are suspicions locally that the incidents may be related to the accidental fatal shooting of a young man in Drimnagh in May 2024 or to drug dealing along the Luas stops in Drimnagh.

Joshua Itseli, aged 22, from Ballyfermot, was accidentally shot dead by a gang associate, as they were on their way to carry out a gun attack.

Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan, chairperson of the Dublin South Central Community Safety Forum, said: "The petrol bomb attack in Walkinstown was an attack on the whole community. This violent attack comes after two separate gun attacks earlier this week.

"Last night's attack needs to serve as a wake-up call for Minister of Justice Jim O'Callaghan. 

"He needs to realise that people are living in real fear. We want our communities to be safe places for everyone."

• Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent