Wexford man may have been killed over drug debt

Two people, a man and a woman, have been arrested in connection with Stephen Ring's death

Stephen Ring's body was found on Sunday.

A man whose battered body was found in a remote Wexford quarry lake may have been murdered over a drug debt, it is understood.

Stephen Ring, 27, had been missing since October 15 but his body was found at Shelmalier Commons, Co Wexford on Sunday.

Information given to gardaí led to the search of the area and the subsequent discovery of the Wexford man’s body, it is understood.

The chief suspect, who is in his 40s, is from Cork and has multiple previous convictions, it is understood.

A woman in her 30s has also been arrested in connection with the investigation into Mr Ring’s violent death.

Her house was raided and drug paraphernalia was found prior to her arrest.

Local sources say the house is known locally as a “crack den” or a “drug den.” That property was sealed off and searched on Sunday.

An autopsy has since been completed by State Pathologist Sally Ann Collis. The results of which are not being released for operational reasons.

The man and the woman are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in the Wexford Division.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Wexford Garda Station.

A garda family liaison officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased man.

Garda investigations into the killing are ongoing.