ULSTER LINK TO DUTCH DRUG DEATHS

Fears mounted today for the safety of an Ulster woman after three
Irishmen were found dead in a flat in Holland.

Gardai have not yet named the men who died in an apparent drugs
gang-linked murder in a Dutch town.

But two of the dead were believed to be brothers from the Co Tipperary
village of Bansha, and the third victim was thought to be from Ennis,
Co Clare.

Their identities were unofficially indicated by passports found at the
scene, an apartment the men shared in Sheveningen, near The Hague.

Dutch police also said they were "very concerned" about the safety of
the woman - thought to be from Newry, Co Down - and another man from
Limerick after their passports were discovered in the flat.

The three dead were reckoned to have been murdered by an international
drugs gang, possibly after selling narcotics in their area.

Their badly mutilated bodies were soaked in petrol and set alight
after they had been beaten up and shot at their home.

Their ages ranged from 22-29 years, and all three had been living in
Holland for some time. They were known to gardai.

Police found ecstasy-manufacturing equipment in the flat. It is
believed the group had clashed with an international drugs trade
syndicate, based in either Holland or Colombia.

Dutch and Irish police have worked closely together since the murder
in Dublin of crime journalist Veronica Guerin. Some of the gang
involved in that killing were known to have fled to Holland.