Crossmaglen Man Shot Dead In Dundalk

A south Armagh man has been murdered in County Louth at the weekend.

James Hughes, 35, who played for the Crossmaglen Rangers senior Gaelic football team, was shot dead in Dundalk in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Some hours later, a 32-year-old man later presented himself at Carrickmacross Gardaí station, where he was arrested.

Mr Hughes was killed after a man approached a taxi outside a house in the Cluain Ard in Lis Na Dara estate shortly after 4am and fired a number of shots into the car.

The 48-year-old man driving the car - a taxi - and a 21-year-old woman were injured in the incident. They were taken to hospital but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Irish police are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack although Press reports indicate that the shooting wasn't sectarian or security related.

An official Gardaí statement issued later said the other occupants of the taxi, a male driver and female front seat passenger received injuries and were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital to be treated for their injuries.

They then said the 32-year-old who presented himself at Carrickmacross Gardaí Station was presently detained there under section 50 of The Criminal Justice Act 2007.

Newry & Armagh MLA, Danny Kennedy has expressed his shock and sadness at the murder of James Hughes.

The Ulster Unionist commented: "I am shocked and saddened by the news of James Hughes death. It really is hard to make sense of the events, which led to the tragic death of James. My thoughts are with his family during this very difficult time.

"It is hard to comprehend how a night out socialising with friends could end how it did.

"Given that the taxi was also carrying the driver of the vehicle and a female passenger we are lucky we are lucky no one else was killed," he added.

The SDLP Crossmaglen Cllr Geraldine Donnelly has said people in her community are shocked and saddened after local man James Hughes was shot dead.

Cllr Donnelly said: "There is an enormous sense of disbelief and grief in Crossmaglen at the news of James' death and particularly that his life was taken in such a violent way.

"James was a popular, pleasant, kind person, full of fun and passionate about football with his beloved Crossmaglen Rangers.

"His passing is so horrific for the Hughes family and the thoughts of people here are with James' father James, his siblings and children as they try to come to terms with this massive loss," she said.

"I have no doubt that the local community wall rally around the family to give them support in the coming difficult days and months that lie ahead."

(BMcC/GK)