Man shot and dumped on isolated road

GARDA experts scoured for forensic clues yesterday after a young man was shot and dumped at a remote mountain location.

The man, aged in his 20s, was found early yesterday at the side of an isolated road along the Wicklow Gap.

Gardaí yesterday said the man suffered a gun shot wound to the back of his head.

The body was spotted on the roadside along the

Hollywood to Glendalough Road by a passing motorist at 7.40am yesterday.

“From initial investigations it suggests he died at the scene as a result of a gunshot wound,” said Inspector Patsy Glennon of Blessington Garda Station.

Garda forensic and ballistic experts yesterday began the difficult work of gathering possible evidence to help piece together what happened.

The man’s body was found at a gateway into a forest on the roadside at Annalecka Bridge at Ballinagee wood.

Gardaí were last night trying to establish the identity of the young man. He had dark hair and was wearing a blue tracksuit and runners and was aged between 20 and 25.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy conducted a preliminary post mortem at the scene, followed by a full examination at the city morgue last night.

Given the trouble the killers went through to get to the scene, detectives are wondering why the body wasn’t hidden.

Gardaí suspect the gang may have just wanted a quiet location to shoot the man and get out of the area quickly and were not worried about the body being found.

Officers have appealed to anyone travelling in the area early yesterday to contact Blessington Garda Station on 045-865202.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Bray are looking for the public’s assistance in identifying the body of a woman washed ashore at Bray harbour last Wednesday. Foul play is not suspected. She is described as in her early to mid 30s, 5’’7’ in height with short brown hair. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bray Garda station on 01- 666530.