Gardaí are continuing to question three men in connection with the murder of a 42-year-old man near Blarney, Co Cork.
Patrick Hogan was shot dead at about 3.45pm after he and a companion were confronted by two men on the Glen Road between Waterloo and Grenagh yesterday afternoon.
Gardaí are investigating if the killing is linked to feuding between criminal factions from Cork.
Mr Hogan, who was originally from Rathpeacon on the outskirts of Cork city, died after being shot in the torso by the gunman, whom gardaí believe was armed with a rifle.
Mr Hogan and his companion were travelling towards Waterloo in Mr Hogan’s van when their way was blocked by two men in a car. They were forced to abandon their van and were attempting to flee on foot when Mr Hogan was shot.
Mr Hogan’s companion, who had crossed the River Martin to try and escape, later returned to the scene where he found Mr Hogan dead.
Gardaí began a murder inquiry and the scene was cordoned off. Mr Hogan’s body remained at the scene overnight pending he arrival of Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis.
The masked gunman and his accomplice drove off in the VW Golf that was blocking the road and also took Mr Hogan’s VW Transporter van. The car was later found at Gurth, about 6km from the crime scene. The van was found at Garrycloyne graveyard about 3km from the scene of the shooting. Both vehicles underwent forensic examinations last night.
Gardaí later arrested two men in their late 20s in the Grenagh area and a third man, also in his late 20s, in the Vicarstown area.
All three were detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows them to be held for up to seven days. Two are being held at Gurranebraher Garda station and the other is at Mayfield.
Gardaí, who have yet to recover the weapon used in the killing, have appealed to anyone who travelled the Glen Road after 3.30pm to contact them at Gurranebraher Garda station on 021-494 7120.
