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Two gangs are believed to have been behind a horrific attack in which a family was held hostage in a case of mistaken identity.

The Dublin-based thugs, who are members of settled Traveller groups, are believed to have joined forces to orchestrate the assault on the Co Limerick family.

Gardai believe the leaders, who are based in Coolock and Ballyfermot, got orders to carry out the shocking raid from mob bosses who are both in prison.

A security source told the Irish Sunday Mirror the gangs are also understood to be behind the recent spate of ATM machine robberies across the country.

The source said: “The leaders felt it was beneficial to carry out this attack together. However, they targeted the wrong family in the process.”

The criminal outfits are led by two gang bosses who are currently serving prison sentences.

Gardai are still hunting the armed thugs who carried out the raid on the house in Grange on Wednesday.

ESB worker Daniel O’Connell was tied up while his wife Miriam and their three children, aged nine, six and four, were locked in a bathroom as the criminals searched the property for cash and valuables.

Two gunmen burst in through the front door of the house at Ballingoola at about 10pm while two others smashed their way through the rear entrance of the

property as the family were watching TV.

Mr O’Connell was bound up with cable ties, forced on to the ground by one of the raiders and threatened at gunpoint.

The gang demanded money and asked for another man by name, but when Mr O’Connell said it wasn’t him they took his wallet.

His terrified wife Miriam, 40, and their children were bundled into a bathroom and locked in by the thugs.

The family were freed by a neighbour who heard their screams after the gang had fled.

Gardai said the O’Connells were left extremely traumatised by their ordeal.

They also revealed cash was taken from Mr O’Connell’s wallet but it is unclear at this stage how much was stolen in the aggravated burglary.