GARDAÍ are hunting the driver of a car in which the body of a dead Swedish hitman was found following a crash in County Limerick.
Gardaí attending the scene of a three-vehicle collision on the N21 between Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale late on Monday night observed a man wearing a balaclava slumped in the backseat of a Seat Leon with a loaded pistol at his feet. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The deceased has been named as 33-year-old Axel Liebsch Moranels. Originally from South America, he moved to Sweden some years ago and was a known gun for hire.
Also found in the car were a loaded handgun, ammunition, and a mobile phone which had satnav directions for an address in Rathkeale.
The Seat Leon was involved in a three-car impact as it did a U-turn and hit two other cars.
The driver and passenger of the second car, a man in his 60s and a woman in her 70s, along with the woman driver of the third car, aged in her 60s, were all treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries.
A major operation was launched to find the driver of the car once the identity of the dead man had been established.
Gardaí are monitoring airports and ferry services as well as conducting intensive investigations in the area where it’s believed the intended targets live.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.