A feud victim who was killed just over three years ago died from multiple gunshot wounds, an inquest has heard.
Keith Branigan, 29, was shot dead in broad daylight while working on decking at a caravan park in Clogherhead, Co Louth, on August 27, 2019. He was not considered a major criminal.
He is believed to have been targeted by associates of paralysed mob boss Owen Maguire because of his friendship with the leader of a rival Drogheda gang who is on the run abroad.
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The gunman was driven into the caravan park and opened fire at Mr Branigan, hitting him a number of times.
Gardai believe the gunman then fired another four shots at Mr Branigan who was caught in between two pieces of decking that he was working on.
The inquest into Mr Branigan’s death – who married just three weeks prior to being shot dead – was formally opened yesterday at Ardee District Court.
Louth County Coroner Ronan Maguire summarised medical evidence stating Mr Branigan “died from multiple gunshot wounds”. There were no other contributing factors to his death.
A request was made by gardai to have the inquest adjourned as an investigation into Mr Branigan’s murder has commenced.
The feud erupted in 2017 when a drugs gang split with one faction led by two brothers in their 20s and the other led by mob boss Maguire. It has seen three more murders since the killing of Mr Branigan.
Richie Carberry, was shot dead outside his home in Bettystown, Co Meath, in November, 2019. Keane Mulready-Woods, 17, was abducted and dismembered in January 2020. And serial killer Robbie Lawlor was shot dead outside a house in Belfast in April 2020.
The feud has been calm for more than a year and a half with many of its main protagonists either locked up or out of the country.
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