GARDAÍ in Dublin are preparing for bloody retaliation after yesterday’s fatal shooting of a man believed to have had strong connections to the notorious crime gang known as the Westies.

GARDAÍ were yesterday hunting down a fugitive gang boss believed to have returned to the country to avenge the murder of an associate.

THE hunt was on last night for three members of a notorious criminal gang following a shoot-out at an isolated border county cottage and the discovery of a frightening arsenal of weapons.