Dundalk gardaí: Known criminals 'more likely' than dissidents to have killed Donohoe
It is understood that detectives in Dundalk believe known criminal gangs are more likely than dissident republicans to be responsible for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.
The on-duty garda was shot dead outside the Credit Union in Jenkinstown, Co Louth on Friday night.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter said it was not yet known who had carried out the killing, but that "all possibilities are being considered".
The scene of the shooting remains sealed off this morning as gardaí continue their investigation.
Close friend Alan Duffy said detective Donohue would be greatly missed. He described his friend as a "gentle giant, a very nice person, very confident, honest, reliable and hard-working".
He said: "He died protecting people in this community…The callousness and evil of (those responsible) doesn't bear thinking about."
He added his friend's death was "a sad tragedy and a huge loss".
Gardaí investigating the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe have said every possible resource will be used in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Garda Commissioner is Martin Callinan said: "There are up to four people involved in the actual raid. How many were involved beyond that remains to be seen.
"We will put all our energy towards finding out precisely who was behind this robbery…Resources will not be an issue."
He added that "many, many people were working on the investigation through the national units assisting the local gardaí, (as well as) the special detective unit and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation".
