Three arrested after murder attempt and beating linked to gangland feud

THREE PEOPLE suspected of involvement in a serious gangland feud have been arrested after a man was shot and wounded in a murder attempt and a second man was later attacked and badly beaten in a related incident.

The attacks in Dublin yesterday morning are both linked to an ongoing feud between two rival factions based around the Sheriff Street area of the north inner city.

In the first of yesterday’s incidents, a number of armed and masked men forced their way into a house at Boroimhe, Cedars, Swords, Co Dublin, at 8.10am.

At least five shots were discharged by the armed men and the occupant of the house, a man in his 30s who is originally from the north inner city, was wounded in the hand and leg.

The armed gang fled the scene and the victim was taken to Beaumont Hospital, north Dublin, for treatment. His injuries are not life-threatening.

Shortly after the incident a man from Dublin’s north inner city was attacked and badly beaten by a group of men in the city.

Gardaí believe that beating was a revenge attack for the shooting of the man in Swords earlier in the morning.

The factions involved in the two attacks yesterday are originally from the Sheriff Street area and were all once members of a gang based in the north inner city.

Around eight years ago the gang leader – Christie Griffin (40), Canon Lillis Ave, Dublin – was accused of repeatedly raping a young girl over many years. He has since been jailed for life after being convicted of that crime.

One faction of the gang sided with Griffin when the rape allegations first emerged, while the other faction believed the victim and turned on Griffin.

The two factions have been involved in a bitter feud since then. Five men have been killed as part of the feud, the first in December 2006 and the latest in July last. The man shot yesterday morning in Swords is a close associate of Griffin’s.

Gardaí believe the rival faction singled him out to be shot dead yesterday to coincide with a court appearance by Griffin yesterday morning, during which he was due to begin his appeal of his rape sentence.

Detectives believe when word of the early morning gun attack in Swords reached Griffin’s associates in the north inner city, they singled out a member of the rival faction for a beating.

The three people being held last night were arrested yesterday afternoon on suspicion of being involved in that beating. They are being detained in Store Street Garda station in the city centre.

Gardaí are now fearful yesterday’s events, particularly the attempted gun murder in Swords, will lead to a fresh outbreak of feuding.

Tensions between the rival factions have been high since July, when the latest of the feud murders occurred.

Stephen Byrne (32) from Mariners Port, off Sheriff Street, was lured from his house by a caller on July 13th. Once outside, he was chased by a gunman armed with a handgun, who shot him twice, in the eye and upper body.

Gardaí have retained a discreet but constant armed presence in the area since then.

Those patrols will now be increased further following yesterday’s events.