Gardaí appeal for witnesses to Athy gangland-style shooting

Gardaí have made an appeal for witnesses after a man was shot dead in a gangland-style gun attack.

The shooting happened at the Coneyboro housing estate in Athy, Co Kildare, at 8.45pm last night.

The 20-year-old victim was rushed to Naas General Hospital, where later died.

Detectives are trying to establish a motive for the killing.

A post mortem will be carried out on his remains later today Dr Michael Curtis the Deputy State Pathologist.

The dead man is originally from Dublin and is known to gardaí, but was not a major player in the criminal world, according to a Garda source.

He is believed to be the cousin of a drug dealer who disappeared five years ago and is feared dead.

Gardaí said the scene has been sealed off pending a full technical examination.

They would like to speak to anyone who was in the Cloneyboro Estate area last evening between 8-9pm.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Athy Garda Station on 059 8634210.