It has emerged a man whose body was found in a shallow grave in Limerick yesterday had been shot.

The body is believed to be that of a 25-year old man from Ballynanty who had been missing since last Thursday.

A formal murder investigation has now been launched.

Detectives at Limerick’s Mayorstone Garda Station are now appealing for information from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at Knockalisheen Road to contact them.