The brother of former INLA 'Border Fox' Dessie O'Hare has allegedly taken his own life.

Paddy O'Hare (49) died in "non-suspicious" circumstances on Saturday last.

The construction boss from Keady in Co Armagh was a father of four and a successful businessman.

Although he was the brother of one of Ireland's most notorious criminals, he was never believed to have any involvement in Dessie's crimes.

Paddy had previously offered his wayward sibling work on his building sites in an attempt to introduce him to a life outside crime.

Dessie was originally a member of the Provisional IRA but after a series of disputes left it in the late 1970s and later joined the INLA.

He was once considered by authorities as the most wanted man either side of the border.

It is widely thought that the economic downturn had taken its toll on Paddy's businesses and what was very profitable work was now making a loss.

A heavy but discrete police operation was this morning preparing to patrol the perimeters of Paddy's funeral in case it could be used to target his brother.

Although Paddy was a well-known republican, he was never involved in paramilitary activity.