Detectives investigate possible link between body found in car and Donohoe murder

Detectives probing the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe five weeks ago are examining a possible connection with a body found in a burned-out car nearby.

The grim discovery was made by firefighters as they tackled the blaze at Gyles Quay, near Lordship off the main Dundalk to Carlingford road in Co Louth.

Garda sources said it was too early to identify the victim or determine whether the death was a suicide or involved criminality.

The scene is close to where Detective Garda Donohoe was murdered five weeks ago as he confronted a gang holding up a small credit union near his home on the rural Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth.

More than 100 detectives are working to solve the detective’s murder and will examine the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body as part of that probe.

“They will be doing an initial inquiry into whether it’s suicide or if there’s other wider connections,” a source said.

The scene remained sealed off overnight for a full forensic examination, which will be carried out this morning by the technical bureau.

The remains will also be removed for a post-mortem examination and tests to determine the identification of the victim.

Anne Ferguson, who runs a local caravan park, said she heard the fire brigade rushing to scene in a car park behind the pier shortly after 7pm.

“I knew a car had been burnt out down there,” she said. “I’d no idea what happened or anything. Naturally I was shocked when I heard there was a body in it.”

Last March the bodies of two Dublin criminals were found in a burned-out stolen car in Ravensdale Forest Park near Dundalk.

DNA tests were used to confirm the identities of Joseph Redmond, 25, and Anthony Burnett, 32, who were both from the Ballybough area in Dublin’s north inner city.

Earlier this week senior officers made a fresh appeal and revealed information that could lead detectives to the killers of Det Gda Donohoe, a five-strong gang based in south Armagh.

More than 2,300 separate lines of inquiry have been examined as part of the massive investigation, while statements have been taken from 800 people.

The Irish League of Credit Unions has put forward a reward of €50,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Det Gda Donohoe’s killers. Crimestoppers is also offering an undisclosed substantial award.