Gardaí investigate case of man shot dead in bed

Three people were today being questioned by detectives probing the murder of a man in a small border town.

Darren McGrath was shot dead as he lay sleeping in bed next to his fiancée last week.

The couple's 13-month-old baby girl was in the next room when the killer climbed the stairs of the house in Belturbet, Co Cavan, and opened fire.

Gardaí investigating the fatal shooting last night arrested two men and a woman in connection with the incident.

One of the men, who in his 40s, and the woman, aged in her 20s, are being detained at Monaghan garda station. The second man, also in his 20s, is being held at Castleblaney garda station.

A garda spokesman said all three are being detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for three days.

Mr McGrath, 31, was staying with his 19-year-old partner, Nicole Lennon, at Annagh Park in the council-built Kilconny estate in Belturbet when the lone killer attacked.

It is believed the gunman entered the house some time around 5am, climbed the stairs and entered the couple's bedroom where he opened fire.

The victim was shot several times while the woman and the baby both escaped physically uninjured.

Ms Lennon, who recently fought cancer and was looking forward to their life together, was left devastated by the killing.