The Garda have confirmed they are investigating the sending of bullet in the post to Roscommon County Manager, Mr John Tiernan.
The bullet was sent to Mr Tiernan's home near Athlone in a miniature 'coffin' on Christmas Eve.
A Garda spokesman said no arrests had been made and that officers were investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
It is understood the Garda are following a line of inquiry relating the development of Travellers' halting site in the county and are in contact with An Post in an effort to establish the origin of the package.
The incident has been condemned the chairman of the Association of County and City Managers.
Mr Brian Johnson said the news was "disturbing" and described Mr Tiernan, with whom he worked for many years in Cavan Co Co, as a "decent, socially-conscious human being".
"We utterly condemn this particularly vicious attempt to intimidate John Tiernan," he said.
Mr Johnson said: "County managers have a job to do and sometimes you have good news to conveyand bad news to convey."But in this case I can assure everyone that they are dealing with a veryhonourable, decent and conscientious man and there is no need for that type ofactivity at all. I hope that the thug or thugs that sent this stuff to him areapprehended and brought before the courts."
He said it was a "disgrace" that the package was sent to Mr Tiernan's familyhome at Christmas.
"It goes to show the mentality of some thugs that are out there," he said.
He added: "Mr Tiernan is a resolute man. He will do his job, he is anexcellent official and I know he will be annoyed by this but he will be moreconcerned for his family than himself personally."
Although Mr Tiernan was today back at work in Roscommon he refused to commenton the incident.