Three injured after ‘hammer and knife’ attack at Brandon Ledwidge funeral reception

Chaos broke out after the reception held by the family to honour gun victim Brandon Ledwidge whose funeral happened earlier today.

Large parts of Quarry Road in Cabra have been sealed off tonight by gardai after the row started when mourners were attempting to leave the pub and tried to make their way to a local sports club.

The extent of the injuries of the victims are not yet known and it is understood that the savage assaults are being investigated by Mountjoy gardai.

Sources say that violent incidents have broken out a Dublin hospital in the aftermath of the violence which has led to a public order unit being deployed to the hospital.

Public order units remain at the hospital currently.

A garda spokesman confirmed that two people are currently being treated in hospital for injuries.

"Gardaí are investigating an alleged incident of assault that occurred in the Dublin 7 area this evening Wednesday 29th November, 2023 at approximately 8pm.

"Two males are currently receiving medical attention at the Mater Hospital with serious injuries.”

Earlier today, Finglas native Ledwidge was remembered as a “party animal” at a funeral service in St Canice’s Church.

Finglas village came to a standstill late this morning as relatives carried his silver-grey casket to the church as young men and teenagers performed wheelies and noisy burnouts on motorbikes, spinning the back wheels so fast that the tyres smoked.

Despite an obvious garda presence, bikes were wheelied up and down the street before and after the funeral mass.

Ledwidge, the first gangland shooting victim of 2023, was shot several times as he answered the door of his home on Barry Drive at around 7pm on Saturday, November 18.

One of the symbols of Ledwidge’s life brought to the altar was a motorbike helmet.

He is survived by his parents Sabrina and John, siblings Byron, Ellie, Kaci and Daryl, his girlfriend, and extended family and friends.

Many mourners wore T-shirts with Mr Ledwidge’s photo printed on it, and some female mourners wore red ribbons and bows in their hair.

In a tribute read by a cousin, his sister Kaci said he played a big part in everyone’s life.

“We are all absolutely heartbroken. A lot of memories were made, and a lot more memories should have been made. You were the life and soul of every party, always with a smile on your face no matter what,” she wrote, adding that he was not without “a big fat joint in your mouth and a hammer in your pocket”.

“We will miss everything about you. You loved a good trip to Amsterdam and Tenerife. We will miss seeing your face and hearing your voice around the house and everywhere you were and coming in saying ‘Ma, what’s for dinner. I’m starving?’,” she added.

“We will miss your laugh, your smile, your jokes, your loving and caring ways,” she explained, adding that he could be found at all hours of the morning with “a bottle of fast gas and a balloon in his mouth with a bottle of vodka.”

His sister added: “You took a big chunk of our hearts with you. You were a party animal. You loved a good party and the drink. You were stone mad and made of steel.”

A cousin of Mr Ledwidge said they were always together like peas in a pod. “You wouldn’t see one without the other. You were the big brother I never had,” he said to applause.

During his homily, Fr Richard Hyland made reference to the Gospel, saying Jesus said we will be judged on the care we have for each other, and we are to give that care to everyone, no matter whom they are or where they come from.

“You reap what you sow. If you sow badness, you get badness back. If you sow goodness, you get goodness back,” he added.

After Requiem Mass, burial took place in Glasnevin Cemetery.