Gardai are planning a huge security operation for the funeral of the first Drogheda gang feud victim.
Dozens of extra members and armed undercover officers will be drafted into the Co Louth town as Keith Branigan is laid to rest.
The 29-year-old’s body is still in a funeral home but is likely to be released to his family tomorrow with the burial due for Tuesday or Wednesday.
It is believed he will be waked at his mother’s home before a service at the Holy Family Church in Ballsgrove.
It is not known if the leaders of the gang to which Mr Branigan was aligned will show up for the funeral.
Meanwhile, the community is bracing itself for more violence as those involved seek to avenge
his murder.
A source said yesterday: “We hope there will be no more violence but you just know something’s going to happen.”
Mr Branigan was killed at the Ashling Holiday Park in Clogherhead, Co Louth, on Tuesday afternoon. He was working on his mobile home when a gunman stepped out of a red Lexus car and opened fire.
The victim, who had married in December, was hit five times and died at the scene. A number of stray shots caused damage to two cars nearby, where children had been eating ice cream just minutes earlier.
Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd condemned the “appalling” violence.
He said: “I have been reassured by the super-intendent he has adequate resources to deal with the current feud.
“However, gardai will need the continued help of the community in combating this criminality.
“To date, more than 300 proactive searches have been carried out along with 870 Armed Support Unit/Roads Policing checkpoints and 1,253 proactive uniform and plain clothes patrols.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda station on 041 987 4200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
