Police are investigating the discovery of a body in a burnt-out car, yards from the scene where detective Adrian Donohue was shot dead in January.

Detectives are working on the theory that the latest incident is related to the death of officer Donohoe, shot in a botched raid on a County Louth credit union.

A report in the Irish Sun says police are probing whether the discovery in Lordship, Co Louth, is linked to the murder.

The father of two was shot dead close to the latest crime, at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan in January.

A source told the paper: “It’s too early to say whether this is linked to the callous murder of Adrian, but it is certainly an avenue police are investigating.

“There have been rumours all week that something terrible was about to happen in the wake of Adrian’s murder. This discovery isn’t a huge surprise.”

Police and the fire services were called to Gyles Quay, near Lordship, to deal with a burning car at around 7.15pm on Wednesday night.

When the blaze was extinguished, they found charred remains in the front seat.

The scene had been preserved pending a technical examination.
Police in Dundalk have appealed for anyone who may have any information to contact them.

A father and son from the town were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of withholding information about officer Donohoe’s brutal murder.

Local Anne Ferguson told the paper how she heard the fire brigade rushing to the scene in a car park behind the pier.

She said: “I knew a car had been burnt out down there. I’d no idea what happened. Naturally I was shocked when I heard there was a body in it.”