Gardaí analyse shotgun in Tallaght shooting probe

Gardaí investigating the murder of 16-year-old Melanie McCarthy McNamara in Tallaght have recovered a shotgun believed to have been used in her murder.

The gun was found near the Naas Road close to where the stolen car in the drive by shooting was found abandoned yesterday.

Armed patrols and checkpoints were set up by Gardaí in Tallaght in West Dublin last night .

Gardaí believe that Ms McCarthy McNamara was not the intended target of Tuesday's attack.

She was sitting in a parked car in a Jobstown estate when shots were fired from a passing SUV, wounding her in the head.

She was rushed to hospital, but died of her injuries.

Experts have been carrying out a forensic examination of an SUV found later near Citywest, which they believe may have been used in the incident.

Meanwhile, Melanie's friends and family have been paying tribute to the teenager, who was due to celebrate her 17th birthday in just two weeks' time.