Gardaí launch double murder probe over burnt bodies

Gardaí last night officially launched a double murder investigation after autopsies on the remains of two men found in a burnt-out car in Louth on Wednesday night confirmed they had suffered gunshot wounds.

The murder enquiry is being led by Superintendent Gerry Curley, Dundalk, who last night appealed for “anybody who knows anything about what happened, including the associates of the deceased, to contact the gardaí in confidence”.

Supt Curley said it was a “possibility” the deaths were related to gangland activity or drugs.

He would not confirm the identity of either deceased which has been widely reported as being that of two Dublin men who are known to gardaí.

He said that the results of DNA analysis that will confirm who the victims are, is expected next week.

The remains were found as firefighters extinguished what they thought was a standard fire in an abandoned car at Ravensdale forest in Co Louth.

The men appeared to be lying on top of each other and gardaí quickly established the car, a VW Golf, had been stolen in Dublin earlier this week.

The deputy state pathologist, Dr Khalid Jabbar, confirmed the bodies had gunshot wounds during autopsies yesterday.

A Garda search team carried out a “detailed minute search of the area” yesterday, including an area that stretched beyond the car park, looking for any evidence related to the killings.

Supt Curley said there had been a “good response” to the appeal for public assistance.

He said gardaí can be contacted at an incident room set up at Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388470 or on the Garda confidential line 1800 666111.