A POST MORTEM is due to be carried out on the body of a former garda who was found dead in a house in Bailieboro yesterday morning.

His body was removed from his home in Cornaveagh to Navan Hospital where a post mortem will be carried out later today.

The scene has been preserved and a technical examination will continue this morning.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the Cornaveagh and the Canningstown area of Bailieboro between 5pm on Thursday, 8 November and 8am on Friday, 9 November and may have seen anything suspicious or out-of-the-ordinary to contact them at the local station on 042 966 5102 or on the Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

It is understood the 49-year-old suffered gun shot wounds to the head. He has been named locally as John Kerins.

A murder investigation is expected to be launched once detectives complete their examination of the scene. According to the Press Association, the victim was questioned by Gardaí investigating the disappearance of neighbour Gerard Daly in June 2011.

It is understood the victim was medically discharged from An Garda Siochana several years ago and moved to the area. He had served in a number of specialist units in the force throughout his career.