Man in his 20s found shot dead near Dunboyne

A man in his 20s has been found shot dead in a field close to the border between Meath and Kildare.

The man’s body was discovered in a field at Walterstown between Leixlip and Dunboyne on Saturday morning. It is understood he had been missing since Friday.

Early indications suggest the man was shot in the head. He is known to gardaí and had previously been before the courts on firearms charges. Gardaí from Ashbourne are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The scene has been sealed off pending the arrival of the Garda Technical Bureau and a representative of the State Pathologist’s office. The local coroner has also been notified.

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“The body of the man remains at the scene and has yet to be formally identified,” a garda spokesman said.

“No additional information is available at this time, investigating gardaí are however treating the death as suspicious.”

Fianna Fail councillor for Dunboyne Damien O’Reilly said he visited the scene earlier.

“I’m deeply saddened and shocked by the discovery, as is the entire community,” he said.

“It’s a very quiet and peaceful area and everyone is totally taken aback. I would be appealing for anyone who was around the area last night to contact gardaí”

Meath East Fianna Fail TD Thomas Byrne wrote on Twitter: “I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder which has lead gardaí to discover the body of a man outside #Dunboyne near the Kildare border.

“I know that all of society condemns this and supports our gardai fully as they investigate. Totally mindless.”