Gardaí investigating a double murder in Limerick have arrested a ninth person.
The 49-year-old man was arrested this morning as part of the major inquiry, involving in excess of 150 gardaí, into the murders of 23-year-old Des Kelly and 28-year-old Breda Waters.
The victims, both parents of three young children, were found shot dead at Kelly's home in O'Malley Park, Limerick last Sunday morning.
Gardaí believe Kelly was targeted because of an outstanding heroin debt and that 28-year-old Breda Waters was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One theory being explored is that Kelly, a convicted criminal and known drug user and dealer, contacted one of the chief suspects hours before the shootings looking for heroin.
Postmortem results confirmed that both victims were shot once in the head with a shot gun.
A shot gun cartridge was found on the stairs of the house but the murder weapon has not yet been recovered.
Seven people, including the two chief suspects were arrested at a house in Castletroy in Limerick last Monday.
One man in his 20's was released without charge this morning and gardaí will bring the other six, three women and three men, before Limerick District
Court at midday to apply for a further extension of their detention periods. They are being held under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act which means they can be held for up to seven days.
A 36-year-old woman arrested yesterday on suspicion of withholding information about the double killings remains in custody under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Meanwhile, the removals of Des Kelly and Breda Waters will take place this evening from Crosses funeral home in Limerick city. Funeral masses will take place tomorrow.