Gardaí investigating the shooting dead of two men and the wounding of a 14-year-old boy during a suspected drug-related machine gun attack last night are today carrying out a forensic examination at the scene of the attack.
Gardaí this morning issued an appeal to the public for information on a silver Audi A6 believed to have been used by the killers.
The fatal gun attack brings to 14 the number of people shot dead so far this year and was the second double gun murder of 2010.
Gardaí said they are satisfied that the teenage boy who was wounded in the attack was an innocent victim and not a target for the gunmen. The 14-year-old is believed to have been with the victims, sitting in the back seat of the car, when it was fired on.
The double killing occurred at about 8pm when the car in which the two victims were travelling was riddled with shots from a machine gun or a similar automatic weapon on Neilstown Road, Clondalkin, west Dublin.
The dead men have been named as Paul Corbally (35) and Kenneth Corbally (32), with a previous addresses at Drumfinn Avenue, Ballyfermot.
Gardaí said the men’s car was shot at from the driver’s side of the vehicle, most likely by a gunman travelling in a passing car. All of the windows were shattered by the gunfire and the driver’s door and rear passenger door were riddled with gunfire.
A burnt-out silver A6 Audi was found in the Foxborough area last night about a mile from the murder scene, near the Moorefield estate of the Neilstown Road. Gardaí believe this car was most likely used by the killers.
The car was fitted with a taxi plate and stolen registration plates bearing the number 00 KE 13498. Gardaí said today there were at least two occupants in the car, both of whom are believed to have been wearing balaclavas at the time of the incident.
Anyone who saw the car in the Clondalkin village/Neilstown Road area between 5pm and 8pm yesterday or who, following the shooting, observed the car travelling on the Fonthill Road or in the Foxborough area is asked to contact gardaí at Ronanstown Garda Station.
The injured teenager, who is from the Moorefield estate, was wounded on the right side and upper arm. The Irish Times understands he managed to flee the scene as the car came to a stop at the side of the road when the driver was shot dead.
He is then believed to have made his way to Tallaght hospital and presented himself for treatment. It was staff at the A&E department who alerted gardaí to the fact a boy with gunshot wounds had presented at the hospital.
Speaking at a press briefing in Dublin this morning, Assistant Garda Commissioner Mick Feehan said the teenager remained in hospital however, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Mr Feehan said the boy had been interviewed by officers and that further interviews would be held.
The Corballys were well-known drug dealers and had been involved in a feud with a gang headed by a major drugs dealer from Ballyfermot, west Dublin. They had been warned by gardaí several times in recent months that their lives were under threat.
“They had set themselves up as the main rivals to a significant drug dealer in Ballyfermot and we had become aware of a number of plans to shoot them and they were informed of those threats,” said one Garda source.
Garda search teams are today carrying out an extensive examination of the murder scene and the stretch of road leading up to the area when the men’s car came to a stop.
Garda sources said the gun attack may have started quite some distance down the road.
“There were a lot of shots fired so even gathering up any bullet cases will take some time,” said one source.
Assist Garda Commissioner Mick Feehan said a significant investigation was underway and that the gardaí "were committed to working with communities to confront and challenge those involved in gangland crime."
"We certainly have the committment, the will and we have the capability of confronting people engaged in serious crime right across the city," he said.
Mr Feehan's colleague, Supt Pat Clavin, who is leading the investigation from Ronanstown Garda station, said house-to-house enquiries were underway in the area. He appealed to local people to pass on any information they have regarding last night's incident to gardaí so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice.