Authorities are investigating a suspected contract killing plot after two Swedes are suspected of having travelled to Ireland to carry out a contract killing, but on the way there they crashed in a violent car accident, according to media reports. The incident, which occurred southwest of Limerick on the evening of June 8th, involved a three-car collision at an intersection. Following the crash, a deceased man was discovered in the back seat of one of the vehicles wearing a balaclava, with a loaded firearm found at his feet.
According to reports, the deceased was a Swedish man in his 30s who had previously been investigated for criminal activity in Sweden and was briefly detained in March of this year. Police believe the driver of the vehicle was also Swedish; he managed to flee the scene on foot after the crash. Investigators recovered a mobile phone left behind in the car, which they believe will help identify the suspect. Current police theory suggests the men were hired to carry out a murder related to an ongoing local conflict and were traveling to execute the mission when the accident took place.
Irish Times journalist Conor Lally described the case as one of the most unusual and high-profile investigations in years, noting that it is extremely rare for foreign gunmen to be recruited for assassination missions in Ireland. Law enforcement officials suspect that the surviving man may have received assistance from his clients to go into hiding, though it remains unclear if he is still in the country.
The Stockholm North police district confirmed that they are cooperating with Irish authorities. Rebecka Sallroth, acting head of serious crimes in the Stockholm district, stated that the preliminary investigation is being conducted in Ireland and Swedish police are providing assistance where necessary. Meanwhile, the Irish police have declined to comment on the investigation for TT.
