A man whose body was discovered in Meath yesterday is understood to have known his life was in danger.

The victim - who was in his 20s - was found in a field in Dunboyne yesterday morning with gunshot wounds to the head.

A previous attempt on the man's life was foiled by gardaí.

Conor Feehan, reporter with Independent News and Media, says gardaí are investigating whether his death is gang related.

He explained: "He would be a close associate of a man who had previously been killed in the Kinahan-Hutch feud, which has now claimed 12 lives in its most recent form.

"He has had an attempt on his life before, which was foiled by gardaí in the past. So he had known his life was in danger."

Conor added that the victim "had been in court facing charges of ammunition finds in the Finglas area":

Forensic exams have been carried out at the scene, and a post-mortem on the body is due to take place.