BY CONOR SHARKEY
A REPUBLICAN splinter group called Oghlaigh na hEireann is believed to have been responsible for the brutal slaying of Strabane man Andrew Burns in Donneyloop.
Speculation was rife yesterday (Thursday) that the 27-year-old was targeted for being a police informer, however those claims have not been substantiated.
It had been initially suggested that the Real IRA was behind the shooting but the group has denied any involvement. It is understood Mr Burns formed links with a Real IRA breakaway group called Oghlaigh na hEireann.
Mr Burns was found lying on the side of the road at around 7.15pm on Tuesday night at the entrance to St Columba's Church, Donnyloop. It is believed the self employed painter and decorator was shot twice in the Church car park minutes earlier, where it is believed he sustained two gun shot wounds to the lower chest.
Desperate attempts were made to resuscitate the victim, however he died a short time later at the scene.
Mr Burns is said to have been involved in dissident republicanism and is believed to have been a former member of the Real IRA.
Some eighteen months ago he had been shot in an incident in the Head of the Town area.
Some time after the shooting, Mr Burn's broke ties with the organisation.
Since then, he is understood to have formed links with a Real IRA breakaway group Oghlaigh na hEireann. On Tuesday evening, he was taken from the vicinity of his Upper Main Street flat and executed.
Mr Burns had been dropped off in the town centre around 6.45 pm by his father. He had intended to go for a pint. However, forty five minutes later he was shot dead just over the border in Donnyloop.
Since Tuesday's murder, several calls have been made for the dissident grouping to explain exactly why Mr Burns was shot dead.
IRSP leader Willie Gallagher has called on the group to explain why Mr Burns was murdered. He said if it was unable to explain its actions to the Republican community, it should disband.
Strabane priest, Father Declan Boland, said the Burns family were "crushed and broken" by the death.
"I want to condemn this as a most heinous, immoral and depraved act. That a young man should be abducted and done to death in such a vicious and callous manner," he said.
Gardai are refusing to speculate on a motive for the killing, nor will they say who they believe to be behind the murder. At a press conference in Lifford on Wednesday, Superintendent Kevin Donohoe of the Garda Press Office, said they were exploring "a number of avenues" in relation to his death.
"The evidence we have so far is not pointing in any one direction. It is too early at this stage of the investigation to establish a motive," Supt Donohoe said.
Gardai ruled out the involvement of a silver Rover car which was found burned out on the Derry-Donegal border shortly after the murder. They now believe two cars were used in the incident which has shocked residents in the tiny border village near Castlefin.
Despite local reports that two gunshots were heard, Supt Donohoe refused to be drawn on the number of wounds inflicted on Mr Burns. He also declined to reveal what type of gun was used but confirmed that he did die from gunshot wounds.
On Wednesday night a mobile gardai communication centre was established at the scene of the crime and will remain there around the clock for a number of days. The Garda Technical Bureau have also begun a forensic examination of the scene.
Mr Burns body was taken to Letterkenny General Hospital for a post-mortem which was carried out by the State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy.
Gardai are appealing for information about any vehicles that were in the Donneyloop area between 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm on Tuesday night to contact Lifford station on 074-914-1000 or the Garda Confidential line on 1-800-666-111.
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