Three arrested in connection with shooting released

Three men arrested in connection with a brutal murder of a man found shot dead in a church yard were released without charge tonight.

The trio, aged 18, 33 and 42, were arrested yesterday in Strabane, Co Tyrone, as detectives probed the death of local man Andrew Burns.

Mr Burns (aged 27) from Drum Road in the town, was shot in the car park of a church in Doneyloop in Co Donegal.

People attending a youth club found the painter lying on the road after he staggered from the car park and collapsed bleeding from his wounds.

A number of people, including a nurse, tried to resuscitate him, but he died a short time later.

It is believed he was abducted in the centre of Strabane minutes after being dropped off in the town centre by his father who said he had been planning to go to a pub to watch a football match.

It is understood some time previously he had been shot in an attack by dissident republicans. The Real IRA denied they were responsible for the killing.

A police spokeswoman said the three men had been released unconditionally.