Gardaí hold two over Dunboyne shooting

Gardaí have arrested two people in relation to the fatal shooting of a Nigerian teenager in Dunboyne, Co Meath.

“They are detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act,” added a Garda spokesman.

The pair can be held for 72 hours.

Gardaí are still trying to find a motive as to why the 17-year-old was gunned down through the door of his apartment.

A racist attack has been ruled out.

The apartment in the Dunboyne Castle estate remained sealed off today as forensic officers searched the area.

Meanwhile, investigating officers carried out door to door enquiries to establish exactly what happened at the quiet housing development.

Gardaí said two men called to the apartment shortly before 2am and shot the youth, who is almost 18.

He was rushed to James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, where he was worked on by the medical staff for more than an hour but he died 3.20am.

A post mortem is being carried out on his remains today.

The teenager, who had been renting an apartment with another person, is understood to have lived in the area around two months.

Dunboyne councillor Noel Leonard said although the victim was not well known, he saw local residents openly crying as the horrific news spread through the village.