ARRESTS are expected to be made today after a breakthrough in the Garda investigation into the murder of a man and woman in south west Dublin last November.
Detectives have identified the criminal figure who shot dead Ms Catherine Brennan (28) and Mr Eddie McCabe (30) as they drove through Tallaght on November 24th.
The main suspect is the brother of a well known Dublin criminal, and it is believed he carried out the murders after a row with Mr McCabe at a disco. It is understood the man who shot the couple was accompanied by a woman.
Gardai had initially suspected that the murders were the work of local IRA members who were known to have previously threatened Mr McCabe, a petty criminal and drug dealer.
The detectives were also considering a theory that Mr McCabe had been selling ecstasy tablets from Ms Brennan's house and that he had supplied a teenage girl, a relative of another Dublin criminal, who died from the drug.
However, both of these theories have since been ruled out.
It now appears the murders were the direct result of a row in a local disco earlier that night. It is believed the murderer armed himself and returned by car to Tallaght. There he caught up with Mr McCabe and Ms Brennan at the Primo filling station off the Tallaght by pass, where there was a confrontation.
Mr McCabe drove off and the man drove after him. He caught up with Mr McCabe's car at Maplewood Road at about 4.30 a.m. and shot the couple dead.
It is believed Ms Brennan was not involved in the dispute and was an innocent party who happened to be in Mr McCabe's company on the night.
Mr McCabe had a criminal record and was said to be frequently involved in rows.