A MAN IN his thirties has been shot dead in Clogherhead in Co Louth this afternoon. 

Shots were fired at a caravan park near a Mace convenience store on the Clogherhead to Termonfeckin road shortly before 3pm. 

A man in his early 30s was pronounced dead at the scene.

The scene is currently preserved for forensic tests. 

It is understood the shooting is related to the ongoing feud in Drogheda. The feud began between two rival gangs in July last year.

In November, extra gardaí resources and armed-response units were deployed to the Louth region as a result of an upsurge in violence with at least 25 additional gardaí being drafted in to police the region over the past six months. 

In early July, a bomb attack on a house in Drogheda, believed to be linked to the ongoing feud, was carried out. 

At the time, there were concerns that violence would flare up again after one of the gang leaders issued threats to a number of criminal rivals after recently being released from prison.

Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has condemned today’s shooting.

“This was a despicable act, carried out in the middle of the day in a quiet, seaside village,” the former Sinn Féin leader said. 

“This attack took place outside a busy supermarket. Families in this area, like many others, are busy getting ready for school and going about their daily lives.

“This terrible incident could have had even more devastating effects,” Adams said. “I urge anyone with information to bring it to An Garda Síochána.”

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the Clogherhead area earlier today.

Anyone with information can contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 987 4200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.