A Dublin man was shot dead and another wounded after a four-man gang from Coolock in north Dublin broke into the home of a Traveller family in Co Louth to confront them in a row over drugs.

Murder victim Stephen Hanaphy (20), from Cromcastle Court in Coolock, and three other men, travelled to Sliabh Breagh, Ardee, to confront a well-known local Traveller family at about 11pm on Friday. The four Dublin men, who were armed with knives and possibly a sword, broke into the home of the Travellers.

A scuffle ensued and two of the Dublin men were shot when one of the Travellers produced a handgun. Hanaphy was shot in the shoulder and it is believed it hit an artery to the heart. His associate was shot in the arm and is currently being treated at Dublin's Beaumont Hospital. The four Dublin men fled in separate directions. Hanaphy ran about a quarter of a mile before he collapsed on open ground.

His body was discovered at 4am. The other two Dublin men are currently being sought by gardaí. The Traveller family also fled and are being sought.

The murder victim was not considered to be a serious criminal by gardaí. The other man who was shot was the ringleader of the gang. But he was more of a "hard man" than a well-established criminal, according to gardaí.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in the Sliabh Breagh area from 10pm on Friday night or anyone with information to contact the incident room at Ardee on (041) 6871130 or the Garda Confidential Line, 1-800-666-111.