Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
# Meath
Close friend of 'The Monk', Noel Duggan, shot five times in driveway ambush
The father-of-three was shot dead last night as he sat in a car in the driveway of his home.
THE MAN WHO was shot dead outside his home at a Meath housing estate last night has been named locally as Noel Duggan.
Duggan, who was in his 50s, was shot five times as he sat in his car in the driveway of his home. The gunman fled across a green area in the Old Mill housing estate to a waiting car.
Three other men who accompanied the gunmen are believed to have made off in a second getaway car.
Burned-out cars
Two burned-out cars – a Saab and a BMW – were later found a short distance from the scene of the shooting. A second burned out BMW, believed to be connected to the incident was also found at the back of Dublin Airport.
Nicknamed ‘Mr Kingsize’, the victim was a close friend of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch and was heavily involved in cigarette smuggling. In the past, he made a significant settlement with the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). The agency confiscated a Dublin city centre premises as part-payment for the €4 million bill.
The father-of-three had been living in the estate in Ratoath for several years. Sources said the hit on Duggan was unexpected as he had walked away from his criminal past.
Locals last night described him as “a nice man” who was approachable and respectful.
Independent councillor Nick Killian, who lives in the area, said people were “in shock” at hearing the news.
“One person I spoke to on the phone said they never thought the Dublin gangland war would end up here,” he told TheJournal.ie.
A post mortem is due to take place at Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda today.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in or around the housing estate or the Fairyhouse Road this evening, and who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious, to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 8010600, the Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Read: Associate of The Monk shot dead at housing estate in Co Meath>
