‘Like the Wild West’ – Young man dies in hail of bullets as cars rammed in terrifying Dublin attack

One resident said more than 20 shots were fired as it is believed attackers in a moving car targeted a man in another car on Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh shortly after midnight.

Local residents said the attackers may have tried to flee by reversing their vehicle up the road but crashed into a tree and other vehicles, before trying to escape on foot.

Three men were arrested near the scene in the residential area near a school and church, while three wrecked cars can be seen nearby and are the focus of garda inquiries.

The dead man’s body remains at the scene today while a post-mortem examination is being arranged and Garda forensic experts comb the scene.

It is understood gardaí have recovered three cars of interest in the investigation and are searching for a van that may be connected to the killing.

A local resident said she was awoken by the sound of gunfire.

"It seems there was shots fired from a moving car at a second car, and then there was a crash. Then I could hear around 20 shots or more and a lot of shouting," she said.

"Then a car reversed up the road at speed and I've heard since that it was crashing into things as it was moving back, and it drove away. It was like something from the Wild West," she said.

One person was seen running from the scene.

Other residents told of seeing a car chase on the road just prior to the gun attack.

Two badly damaged cars – a Volkswagen Golf and a Mercedes are still at the scene today after crashing together at the at the junction of Curlew Road and Knocknarea Rd outside Our Lady's school.

On nearby Sperrin Road gardaí have sealed off the road near a church where a silver Ford Focus with severe crash damage sits on the road.

The rear passenger side is visibly crushed from an impact and the rear light cluster on the driver’s side has been dislodged. There is also damage to the front of the car, and the two tyres on the passenger side are punctured, with damage to the wheel rims.

The rear door on the passenger side is open and the rear windows are open.

Another local resident said she heard two cars crash together before hearing bursts of gunfire and shouting.

"It was late and the first thing we heard was the crash, and then very quickly there was around 10 shots in bursts of three of four. We dropped to the floor in the house, and we could hear shouting," she said.

"Then when we felt it was safe and the emergency services arrived we could see the medics down around the driver's door of one of the cars but outside it," she added.

Gardaí said they were investigating the fatal shooting of a man in the early hours of Monday.

At approximately 12.15am, a man sustained fatal injuries after being targeted on the Knocknarea Road in the Crumlin/Drimnagh area of Dublin 12, gardaí said.

The body of the man remains at the scene and a post-mortem examination is being arranged.

The scene is currently preserved for examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Three men been arrested as part of the garda investigation and they are currently being detained at Garda stations in the Dublin Region under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act 1939.

The investigation into the incident is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) and an Incident Room has been established at Sundrive Road garda station.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to these incidents to come forward.

Anyone with any information that can assist gardaí with their investigation is asked to contact Sundrive Road garda station on 01 666 6600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda Station.