Man found shot dead in sand dunes

GARDAÍ last night launched an investigation after a man was found shot dead among sand dunes in Meath.

The victim has been named locally as Roy Coddington. He was in his 30s and has been described as a drug dealer by gardaí.

Officers said they believe he was shot over some sort of drugs row.

Local reports say a German woman and four children may have witnessed the shooting, but this was not confirmed by gardaí.

The dead man is thought to have been shot at least twice in the head at close range.

In a statement yesterday, a garda spokesman said: “Gardaí are investigating the discovery of the body of a man in sand dunes at Tower Road, Mornington, Co Meath.”

He said gardaí were alerted to the scene at around 4pm, where they immediately sealed off the area for technical examination.

It’s understood local residents heard a number of blasts coming from the area around the sand dunes at around 3.50pm, and alerted the emergency services.

The bureau also examined a second possible crime scene around a parked silver van nearby.

The Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis arrived a short time later.

Officers from Drogheda, investigating the case, will look at the possibility e is any connection with the gangland killing of a man in Drogheda late last year.

Paul Reay, 26, was shot dead on November 23 in Drogheda as he prepared to leave his house for a court appearance. Deceased gang boss Marlo Hyland, who was shot dead in a double murder in Dublin less than a month later, is suspected to have ordered that shooting.

This is the fourth gangland murder this year.