Mayo community numbed by shooting tragedy

The parish priest of Knock has stated the community of Aghamore is struggling to come to terms with the shooting tragedy that has taken the life of a local man.

Fr. Richard Gibbons, who attended the scene earlier today, said his prayers are with the two families affected by the sad events of last night.

Speaking to Midwest Radio, he stated: “It has shocked the area as we are all trying to establish what happened. People are numbed by the tragedy. The incident happened during a time of darkness when many people in rural locations feel frightened.”

A number of local people spoke to the radio station about the incident.

One said she felt very sorry for both familes at this time.

Another stated it will take the community a long time to get over the tragic events.

Both men were involved in farming and knew each other.  

“As far as I know, what happened was very unfortunate. I feel sorry for everybody affected,” another local person said..

A man in his eighties, who was arrested at the scene of the shooting at Coogue, Aghamore, is being detained for questioning at Castlebar Garda Station.

The body of the man in his sixties who died in the shooting will be removed to Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar for a post-mortem after the assistant State pathologist completes an examination of the scene later this afternoon.