A murder investigation's been launched following the fatal shooting of Noel Duggan in Meath overnight.

Gardaí have appealing for information after Mr Duggan died at the Old Mill estate in Ratoath after being shot up to five times at around 8 o'clock last night.

Mr Duggan was a close friend of Gerry Hutch, whose brother was killed in the wake of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency airport hotel last month.

However Superintendent James Cannon from Ashbourne Garda station has refused to be drawn on the details of the inquiry: