TWO SENIOR gangland criminals were among four people being questioned last night in connection with a stabbing attack in which the victim sustained wounds to the face and body.
One of the men being questioned is a leading figure in a crime gang based in south Dublin.
Another of those arrested is the chief suspect for the wounding and attempted murder of well-known Dublin criminal Martin Foley in a gun attack last January in Kimmage, Dublin.
Yesterday's arrests followed a stabbing attack at 2.45pm on Ave Marie Road, Maryland, Dublin.
The victim drove to the area in his car to meet by arrangement with three associates. Three men arrived in a car being driven by a woman.
The men then attacked the victim, stabbing him repeatedly in the face, forehead, body and hands. They then sped from the scene.
Four men were being held last night at Pearse Street, Kevin Street and Kilmainham Garda stations.
The victim presented himself for medical treatment at St James's Hospital. His injuries, which were described as "gruesome", are not life-threatening.
Gardai have spoken to the victim.
The arrested men are part of the same Crumlin-Drimnagh drugs gang. Their feud with a rival crime gang from the same areas has cost 12 lives in the past eight years.
The feud is regarded as the most volatile criminal dispute in the Republic at present and has cost more lives than any other gangland feud in the history of the State.
It began after one man was accused of being a Garda informer when gardaí seized a multi-million euro drugs haul at an inner city Dublin hotel.
Detectives are working on the theory that the victim was seen as being linked to a number of drugs hauls seized by gardaí in recent months.
They believe gang members decided to attack him as a result.
