A murder investigation has been launched following the fatal shooting of Noel Duggan in Meath overnight.

Gardaí have appealing for information after Mr Duggan died at the Old Mill estate in Ratoath after being shot up to five times at around 8pm last night.

Mr Duggan was a close friend of Gerry Hutch, whose brother was killed in the wake of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency airport hotel last month.

However Superintendent James Cannon from Ashbourne Garda station has refused to be drawn on the details of the inquiry: “We had no intelligence that either his life was at risk or that he was a target for such an event.

“There is no indication whatsoever, that there should be any escalation or danger to individuals living in that area.

“It is very early in the investigation, it just occurred last night so we would not like to speculate.”

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