Video emerges of Dublin gangland murder victim with masked pals in car before death

A video has emerged of a gangland murder victim shortly before his death - showing him in a car with his pals masked. Josh Itseli died in a hail of bullets in the early hours of Monday morning.

Now chilling footage has emerged showing him in the run up to the shocking crime. He can be seen smiling and posing for the camera, while believed to be in the same car which was involved in the incident which led to his death.

A Mercedes was involved in a head-on crash before a shootout broke out in the Dublin suburb of Drimnagh on Sunday night. The clip shows Josh with two other men, who are wearing balaclavas and have their identities completely concealed.

The footage was filmed as they drive along the motorway in a flashy Mercedes Benz vehicle. Josh was shot multiple times in a horrific incident that saw a Mercedes and a Volkswagen collide on the Knocknarea Road in Drimnagh.

It took place at around 12:15am on Bank Holiday Monday, with police saying they recovered an AR-15 assault rifle believed to have been used in the shootout, which locals described as being like the "Wild West".

The Irish Mirror reports footage shows a garda climbing a ladder to recover the weapon. Tests will now be carried out on the rifle as part of the investigation into the shocking gun death.

It comes as officers suspect the man who was shot dead was ambushed while on his way to carry out a pipe bomb attack. Sources say Itseli was with two other men and a teenager, who are suspected to have been on their way to carry out a pipe bomb attack.

Amid the gunfire the victim was left fatally wounded on the ground, while three males fled the scene. They were subsequently arrested by armed gardai after being stopped in a banged up Ford Focus nearby.

Sources say one of the arrested men is known to gardai. They added gardai are now probing whether this man and his associates, including Itseli, were on their way to carry out the pipe bomb attack.

It comes as an elderly woman living near the scene told the Irish Mirror: "I just heard three loud shots. It was pop pop, pop, and sounded like it came from down there.

"Then after it I heard further shots but they were much quicker as if it came from a different gun. It was terrifying. I didn't want to look outside. It's like the Wild West."

A pipe bomb inside one of the vehicles was subsequently made safe by the army's Explosive Ordinance Unit. Meanwhile, shocked family and friends of Josh arrived at the scene on Monday afternoon.

They told the Irish Mirror they are looking for answers as to what exactly happened. One family friend told us: "It's shocking. You usually hear someone gets sick or has died but for just someone to finish everything in one minute, we are very shocked."

The family friend told how the dead man's mother, who they said met with gardai earlier today, is in a state of shock. They added: "She knows everything. She's shocked and is not saying anything for the moment.

"Just crying. We need to know what happened exactly. We know Josh since he was small. He goes to school here. He was born here." Family friends told us that Josh's family are originally from the Congo. He also had two sisters.

The incident has been widely condemned with Justice Minister Helen McEntee saying: "The attack in Drimnagh last night is not something we will tolerate on our streets.

"I commend the gardai for responding quickly, resulting in the speedy arrest of suspects. Tackling crime and ensuring safer streets continues to be a top priority for this Government."

Meanwhile, Supt Paul Maher, who confirmed a murder investigation has been launched, also told how his officers tried to save the victim's life at the scene. He added: "A male in his early 20s was discovered with gunshot wounds.

"Responding gardai offered first aid. Despite attempts by gardai, Dublin Fire Brigade and paramedics the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

"Our thoughts are with the deceased’s family at this time. The three men were arrested and are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act."

Gardai appealed for anyone with information to call them on 666 66 00, the Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or indeed any Garda station.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.