Gardaí investigating the murder of a man in Co Meath today believe the killing is feud-related.

The 24-year-old man was found shot dead just after 11am this morning in the area of Walterstown between Leixlip in Co Kildare and Dunboyne in Co Meath.

He had been shot in the head.

Gardaí are still trying to establish a motive for the murder but believe the man could be the 12th victim of the ongoing Hutch/Kinahan feud.

The man was aware his life was in danger and gardaí prevented a previous attempt on his life in west Dublin earlier this year when a handgun was recovered and a man was arrested.

A close relative of the man was also shot dead as part of the ongoing feud and gardaí received intelligence that today's victim had been threatening revenge for that murder.

The man left his home in Co Meath last night and told his partner that he was going to meet someone.

However when he failed to return, she became concerned for his safety and reported him missing to the gardaí.

His car was later found parked at a supermarket in Clonee.

Superintendent James Cannon of Ashbourne Garda Station said the scene had been preserved for a technical examination and the Garda Technical Bureau are at the scene.

He said they were at the early stages of investigation and all avenues of investigation are open.

Gardaí at Ashbourne are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.