LAST UPDATE | 29 May 2019
TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has pledged to visit the Coolock/Darndale area of Dublin after three recent fatal shootings that are being linked to the drugs trade.
A man in his 40s, who has been named as Hamid Sanambar, was shot dead in Coolock, north Dublin yesterday afternoon.
The shooting occurred in the front garden of a house in the Kilbarron Avenue area of Coolock at around 3.30pm yesterday.
Gardaí are investigating if the killing of the Iranian national is linked to the fatal shootings of friends Seán Little and Jordan Davis, who were both killed in north Dublin last week. Sanambar was also known to gardaí.
It is understood yesterday’s shooting took place near the home of Little, whose body was found near a burnt out car on the M1 motorway last week.
Davis was shot dead at around last week at a laneway adjacent to Our Lady Immaculate National School in Darndale.
One line of inquiry gardaí are examining is that the killing of Sanambar is related to these previous murders and connected to the drugs trade in that area.
Asked about the shootings during Leaders’ Questions by Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he wanted to share his “collective revulsion” at the killings.
“I want to share with the house our collective revulsion at the killings that have happened in different parts of Dublin and in also in Drogheda in recent weeks and to express solidarity with the communities in which these killings have happened,” Varadkar said.
This is a matter which Cabinet discussed on Monday night, at the specific request of Minister McGrath, who represents Darndale and Coolock as part of his constituency and also Minister Bruton.The Minister for Justice spoke with the Garda Commissioner about the matter today and also the Minister for Justice intends to visit the area and I will do the same as soon as I can find a little bit of time.
“People who live in the north-east inner city, in Darndale, in Drogheda, in Corduff in my constituency are good people, hard-working people and they need to know and they have a right to feel safe in their homes and in their own community,” Varadkar added.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said he was satisfied gardaí in the area were being given enough resources to bring the killer or killers to justice.
“I agree with the gardaí that anyone with info should come forward,” he said. “I’m satisfied there will be a relentless pursuit from gardaí to bring these killers to justice… I’m satisfied that the resources they’re deploying in the area will be such to bring the killers to justice.”
Flanagan added that he will visit the area at the earliest opportunity.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Ballymun Garda station on 01 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Gardaí said they are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who was in the vicinity of the Kilbarron Avenue or Castletymon Gardens areas of Coolock between 3.15pm and 4pm.
They are also interested in information relating to a Toyota Avensis with the registration 04-D-71806 and its whereabouts since it was stolen on 20 May this year.
The car was found burnt out following yesterday’s shooting.
Also speaking to reporters today, Detective Inspector Michael Mulligan said detectives were looking for anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of the deceased yesterday.
He also said gardaí were keeping an open mind as to whether the shooting was connected to two killings in the area last week.
“Naturally, we’re taking cognisance of the fact where this murder happened,” he said.
“We’re not connecting [it with last week's killings], but it’s something we are considering.”
With reporting from Garreth MacNamee and Hayley Halpin and Rónán Duffy
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