Man arrested in Noonan probe

A MAN in his 20s has been arrested by gardaí investigating the murder of Ciarán Noonan, whose body was found in Co Meath at the weekend.

Mr Noonan, 29, a father of one, had been missing from his home in Russell Avenue, East Wall, Dublin, since October 20.

On Friday night, an area near Trim was sealed off following the discovery of a body in a ditch that was later identified as Mr Noonan.

A postmortem found he had died violently.

Gardaí, who had been searching areas in Meath and north Co Dublin last week, found the body in a field in an area at Tullaghmeaden, about 5km outside Trim.

Gardaí, who launched a murder investigation following the discovery of Mr Noonan’s body, believe he had been bundled into a dark coloured VW Golf, discovered three hours later at an underground car park of an apartment complex in Ashbourne, Co Meath.

It is believed Mr Noonan, originally from Blanchardstown and a drug user, was kidnapped over a suspected drugs debt. Gardaí are looking for at least four other men believed to be involved in Mr Noonan’s abduction and murder.

The arrested man is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Store Street Garda Station and can be held for up to 24 hours.

Two women suspected of withholding information were arrested but released without charge.

People with information can contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 6668000 or Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.