Emmett Sheils, from Tyrconnell Street in the Bogside, was shot in the Bligh's Lane area at about 12.45 a.m. on Tuesday.

His funeral will take place in St. Eugene's Cathedral at 11.30am on Saturday.

Police believe the Bogsider was driving a pizza delivery van when he was caught up in a confrontation with masked gunmen.

This morning, a spokesperson for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement - the political wing of the Real IRA - issued a statement extending its "deepest sympathies" to the family and friends of Mr. Sheils. The statement also "utterly condemned those who carried out this criminal act."

The statement added: "Following discussions with the Republican Movement in the city, we can confirm that Óglaigh na hÉireann had no hand, act or part in this senseless killing of an innocent young republican."

The statement also criticised those "establishment politicians" who "sought to attribute blame to republicans long before the facts had become clear and those who persisted with this lie long after the facts revealed themselves."

It concluded: "That some would use this murder and the understandable community anger to score points over political opponents is reprehensible and that they would do so, knowing the potential for community division in the area, does both the community and the family of Emmet Sheils a disservice."

Yesterday, the Derry Brigade of the INLA also denied any role in the murder of Emmett Sheils.