The Stormont Deputy First Minister, speaking at the end of the British-Irish Council summit in Dublin, strongly rebuked those responsible for the brutal killing.

Mr Burns, 27 from Strabane, Co Tyrone, was shot twice in a church car park in Doneyloop on Tuesday night and his body was later dumped on a roadside close to the Border.

Gardai are investigating a possible link to dissident Republicans as well as other lines of inquiry.

Mr McGuinness said today: ``We face a real threat from the activities of some people within our society.

``It was a dastardly deed. Absolutely despicable. It was carried out by people who have no regard for the community, for the government or law and order.

``That presents a real challenge to all of us.

``We have to give our wholehearted support to the Gardai and the PSNI. These people are criminals and are trying to damage our society in a way that is totally unacceptable to us as political leaders.''