Suspects in hammer raid include son of slain gangster

One of the pair - who are both from north Dublin - is the son of a notorious murdered gangster.

They were being questioned about the brutal assault on Kevin Tansey (44), who was struck in the head with a hammer at his newsagent's on Fitzmaurice Road in Finglas.

Neither of the suspects are considered players in organised crime, but are known to gardai for "their abuse of tablets and other drugs".

It is understood that a desperation for drug money was the motivation for Saturday's shocking attempted robbery, which took place around 8.15am.

Two men, with their faces covered, entered the popular store and are believed to have threatened Mr Tansey before one of the men struck the shopkeeper with the hammer.

The pair fled in a white saloon-type car in the direction of Glasilawn Road.

Nothing was stolen in the incident.

It is understood that Mr Tansey attempted to hold one of the raiders and this was when he was hit at least twice in the head with the hammer.

The victim has been described as a "very decent man" and the assault has caused outrage in the local community.

Mr Tansey was understood to be in an induced coma in Beaumont Hospital last night.

Spate

It is understood that gardai identified suspects in the case as early as Monday morning, which led to yesterday's arrests.

CCTV footage has played a major part in the investigation, according to sources.

Gardai in Finglas have been dealing with a spate of separate armed robberies in recent weeks but none as serious as what happened on Saturday.

Earlier this month, the Herald revealed that the Tesco Express at Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas has been the target of at least five armed robberies since the Christmas period.