Detectives investigating the murder of Dundalk publican Mr Stephen Connolly believe he may have clashed with the INLA in recent weeks. The preliminary results of the post-mortem carried out by the Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, indicate he was shot three times.
The first bullet shattered the glass in the passenger window of the car and hit him in the left arm. The second one hit his chest as he jumped from the car and started to flee. The third and fatal shot hit him in the back as he ran across the road. Gardai driving down Park Street saw Mr Connolly (26) stagger and fall to the ground. However his attacker had already escaped down a cul-de-sac. Gardai believe the weapon was most probably a pistol.
Last night Garda sources said that since an incident in March when Mr Connolly escaped from five men who tried to abduct and shoot him, he may have been involved in a physical fight with an INLA figure in the town.
Gardai have yet to establish the origins of the disagreement which led to the failed abduction in March but detectives believe it was either drug-related or over "protection" money.
Five men were arrested and questioned but released without charge. Mr Connolly then decided to sell the pub and in recent months had concentrated on his partnership in a car dealership.