Hunt for Dublin gang with kids as young as 15 who drugged dog in £87K heist

A gang suspected of carrying out a string of burglaries, including a recent raid in which vehicles worth up to £87,000 were stolen and a dog was drugged, are being hunted by police. The group - which includes youths as young as 15 - is also suspected of two separate arson attacks over the past 18 months. The gang is believed to target people selling vehicles online. "They are absolutely rampant," a source told the outlet, as gardai work to track down the suspects, who are believed to be from separate parts of Dublin and to have come together to carry out burglaries across Leinster , the Irish Mirror reports. Sources said the gang is suspected of targeting a family-run business in the Midlands last week, where they are alleged to have given the family's Doberman sedatives before stealing several vehicles. It is understood the group took two Audis, a Ford van and a motocross bike. Around six people, all wearing balaclavas, carried out the burglary in the early hours of Saturday. The thieves also allegedly set fire to at least one CCTV camera during the raid. The family later confirmed the stolen items had been recovered, but sources said detectives have identified the Dublin-based gang as prime suspects. Officers also suspect the same group was behind a burglary in the Crumlin area of south Dublin on Wednesday, March 25, in which three cars were stolen. CCTV footage shared online appears to show at least five masked men involved. Sources said the gang is made up of young people - aged between 15 and their early 20s - from north and south Dublin who have formed a new alliance. Most are believed to be from the Bluebell and Ballyfermot areas, while others are said to be former members of the infamous Lucky Dip gang, based largely in Ballymun and Finglas, north of the River Liffey. The Lucky Dip gang is known for carrying out burglaries and car thefts across Leinster. It is also understood some members were involved in a feud linked to a group that included Josh Itseli, 20, who was accidentally shot dead by an associate in Drimnagh in May 2024. The same group was blamed for a pipe bomb attack on a house in south Dublin months later and an arson attack on another property last year, which mistakenly targeted the wrong address. Gardai also believe the gang was paid to carry out an arson attack at a pub in Duleek, Co Meath, earlier this year, in which eight cars were destroyed. The pub is believed to have been targeted after an associate of missing drugs baron Sean Dunne - who disappeared in Spain in 2004 - was barred from the venue. The gang allegedly used a Toyota Avensis as a getaway car following the attack on January 2. Gardai later linked the vehicle to a string of burglaries, including incidents in Drimnagh, Walkinstown, Sallins and Ratoath. Detectives also believe the group may have access to weapons, including knives, machetes and at least one firearm. A source said: "They all range from 15 to their early 20s. In relation to [car thefts], they mostly seem to target vehicles for sale. They engage with the seller online and get the Eircode out of them. Then they go to the house, burgle it and take the vehicle. They are absolutely rampant and have their hands in everything." Gardai confirmed they are investigating the theft of a number of cars during a burglary in Crumlin last month. A spokesman said: "Gardaí are investigating following the report of a burglary and theft of a number of cars at a residential property in Crumlin, Dublin 12 in the early hours of Wednesday 25th March 2026. Investigation are ongoing."