Ireland’s first gangland murder victim of the year was targeted because associates believed he was planning to take control of their mob, gardai now believe.
And, as detectives continue their probe into Saturday’s gun killing of Brandon Ledwidge, 23, sources have also revealed officers believe he had been in a fist fight with a key associate of the prime suspect. A source confirmed last night: “He had a fight with a lad the day before he was killed. The fella he had the fight with would be very close to [the suspect], so that is being looked at. But the belief at this stage is that the stronger motive was that the gang he worked with believed he was planning a power grab.”
Sources say he was a member of a secretive drugs gang in Finglas that is heavily involved in the heroin trade in the area – and the suspect for the shooting is also a member of that outfit. The gang makes a fortune from the heroin, cocaine and cannabis trade in Finglas, but has kept a low-profile and does not get involved in feuds – until now.
Read more: Murdered Brandon Ledwidge was due in court over drug possession and intent to sell
Read more: Victim of Finglas gangland shooting named as 23-year-old Brandon Ledwidge
Insiders say the leader faces extended prison time after he was charged with a serious offence in recent years. Investigators probing the killing now suspect the family-led mob believed the victim was planning to take over the organisation – so moved against him.
Sources also say senior members of the gang – which has links to the Kinahan cartel, including ex-soldier and would-be hitman Robert Browne – held a conference in Finglas the night before the murder. Gardai now believe that the conference was held to discuss Ledwidge – and bosses gave the order for him to be murdered.
A lone gunman walked up to Ledwidge’s house on Barry Road at around 6.50pm and fired several shots as he opened the door – hitting him at least three times. Ledwidge was due in court yesterday for possession of drugs. He was facing three separate charges for possession of heroin and cocaine with the intent of sale or supply.
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