A teenager and an older man, who are being questioned by gardai on suspicion of murdering a Limerick boxer in a hit-and-run yesterday, have been transferred to garda stations in Limerick following their arrests in the Midlands last night.

The two male suspects are being questioned by detectives about the alleged murder of Kevin Sheehy, (20), who was knocked down by a black Mitsubishi Shogun SUV, in the early hours of Monday.

Mr Sheehy, of the St Francis Boxing Club in Limerick, had boxed for Ireland, and was a five-time Irish champion.

He was crowned heavyweight champion in the Hull Box Cup Championships last week.

In a post on its Facebook page, St Francis Boxing Club said yesterday was “one of the toughest days ever in the history of our club”.

The club opened up its doors to members overnight to “chat about this tragedy or just be around others that are feeling the same loss”.

“There is nothing to gain bottling up these feelings and emotions,” the club added.

Monkstown Boxing Club, Dublin, shared an online tweet paying tribute to Sheehy: “Heartbreaking news, a very talented boxer but most importantly a lovely young man, our thoughts and prayers are with the Sheehy family, all coaches and members of the St Francis boxing club at this difficult time. RIP Kevin.”

Irish-Boxing.com tweeted its sympathies to Sheehy’s family and friends, describing the 20-year old Olympic hopeful as “a ferocious fighter inside the ring and a gentleman outside it… Irish boxing has lost a star in Kevin”.

Smithfield Boxing Club stated it was “deeply shocked & saddened by the loss of a talented boxer, and wonderful young man”.

Gardai believe a relative of a senior gangland figure was in the SUV when it knocked Mr Sheehy down.

It’s understood the youth was born in the UK, but has close family links in Limerick city and regularly visits there.

The SUV, which bore UK registration plates, was later recovered on the north of Limerick city near the Pairc na nGael GAA sports ground.

Gardai have been liaising with police in the UK in trying to trace the driver.

It’s believed more than one person was in the vehicle when it knocked down Mr Sheehy.

Sources have claimed Mr Sheehy was targeted deliberately upon leaving a house on the south side of the city after “banter” between parties at the house turned sour.

Gardai would not comment officially on the nature of the situation they believe occurred prior to Mr Sheehy’s death.

Both suspects for the killing were initially brought by gardai to a Midlands garda station for questioning.

In a statement this morning, a garda spokesman said: “The two arrested men are now detained at Roxboro Road Garda Station and Henry Street Garda station under Section 4, Criminal Justice Act, 1984.”

“Investigations are ongoing,” they added.

A Garda source confirmed a post mortem is under way on Mr Sheehy’s body this afternoon.

The autopsy which is being conducted by Locum Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Allen Cala, will help determine how the Garda investigation proceeds, sources said.

Gardai questioning the two males suspected of committing murder will have to seek directions from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by around 8pm tonight on whether they can bring charges against the two males.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact Roxboro Road garda station on 061-214340 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.

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