A murder hunt began tonight for the killer of a small-time Limerick criminal in Parteen, Co Clare.
The body of the victim, who was named locally as David Nunan, was found in a field with a gunshot wound in the back.
Mr Nunan, who was in his early 20s and from the Southill area of Limerick city, was recently released from prison.
A passer-by spotted the body near a lane between Parteen village church and Fairyfields Estate, eight miles from Limerick city, at 8.30am.
Gardaí sealed off the immediate area and state pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a preliminary examination of the body at the scene.
An extensive local search was also conducted by detectives.
Garda Supt Gerry Mahon, of Mayorstone Garda Station in Limerick, appealed for witnesses to the incident.
"If anybody noticed any suspicious activity or saw any strange cars in the area, we would like to speak to them," he said.
Local TD and Defence Minister Willie O'Dea, who was in the area on constituency duties, said: "It's a big shock. It's not something you expect to find here in Parteen on a Friday morning."