Two held in John Kerins murder investigation

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a former garda.

John Kerins was shot dead at his remote rural home in Cornaveagh, near Bailieborough, Co Cavan, last November.

The dead man, who was aged in his late 40s, had been questioned over the disappearance of his neighbour some 18 months earlier.

He died from gunshot wounds to his upper body.

A Garda spokesman said two suspects were arrested this morning under special anti-gangland legislation.

“Both men are detained at Carrickmacross Garda Station under Section 50 - Criminal Justice Act 2007,” he said.

“A number of searches are also taking place in the Bailieborough area in connection with this on-going investigation.”

Mr Kerins, who served in a number of specialist units in An Garda Siochana throughout his career, had been medically discharged several years ago and moved to the Cavan area.

He was arrested and questioned by gardai when his neighbour Gerard Daly vanished in June 2010.

The missing man, a dog breeder from Dublin, is feared murdered.

The pair were said to be planning to go into a security dog breeding business together before Mr Daly’s disappearance.

Mr Kerins had also been arrested and questioned over the seizure of stolen goods shortly before he was killed.

The father of one separated from his wife and was living alone at the house which is 7km from Bailieborough off the main road to Cootehill.