The deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Axel Erick Wolfgang Liebsch Morales, who was killed when a Seat Leon crashed on the N21 between Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West at approximately 11pm on Monday night.
Gardaí believe Morales was travelling with another Swedish national who is suspected of driving the vehicle. The man fled the scene on foot following the collision and remains at large. Investigators have identified the suspect and issued alerts across the Garda network as efforts continue to locate him. Checks are also being carried out at ports and airports amid concerns he may attempt to leave the country.
When emergency services arrived at the scene, Morales was found dead in the rear of the vehicle. He was reportedly wearing a balaclava and was carrying a loaded pistol, which was discovered at his feet. A spare magazine for the firearm was also recovered from his person.
The two men are understood to be wanted internationally, with at least one of them sought in Finland on suspicion of murder.
Swedish police have shared intelligence with Irish authorities indicating that Morales had travelled to Ireland to carry out a gun attack on behalf of Irish criminal associates. Gardaí also recovered a mobile phone from the crashed vehicle, believed to have been left behind by the fleeing suspect.
The investigation has now turned towards identifying those suspected of organising and financing the planned attack. Gardaí believe they know the identities of several Irish criminals linked to the operation and are examining their alleged roles in arranging the murder plot.
The criminal feud at the centre of the investigation has already claimed one life and led to a number of violent incidents. Individuals associated with both factions are known to Gardaí for alleged involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering.
The firearm recovered from the crash scene has been sent for ballistic examination to establish whether it was used in any previous crimes. Investigators are also seeking to determine the origin of the weapon and its ammunition.
Garda Headquarters confirmed that efforts to locate the missing suspect are ongoing and appealed for information from the public. Investigators are particularly keen to trace the movements of the Seat Leon, registration KV12 KHP, in the days before the crash.
They believe the vehicle may have travelled through parts of Kerry, Limerick and north Cork between Sunday and Monday.
Anyone who may have seen the vehicle, provided accommodation to its occupants, or encountered them at service stations or other locations is being urged to contact Gardaí.
The occupants of the two other vehicles involved in the collision sustained minor injuries. A man in his 60s and a woman in her 70s were treated at the scene, while a woman in her 60s driving the third vehicle also required medical attention for minor injuries.
