A rural community is coming to grips this morning with the death of a farmer in his sixties in a shooting incident at Aughamore near the east Mayo town of Ballyhaunis.
The victim, who lived in the general Aughamore/Knock area, died from gunshot wounds.
The shooting occurred around five minutes to midnight in a small townland not far from the centre of Aughamore village.
It is understood shots were fired after the elderly man heard activity outside his property.
The man who has been arrested and held for questioning at Castlebar Garda Station is in his eighties. A farmer, he lived alone.
The body is still at the scene pending the arrival of a State pathologist.
There’s no access to the farm where the shooting took place as the area is sealed off for a forensic examination.
Neighbours of both men say they had been friendly. They are both involved in farming activities.
Shocked neighbours expressed their bafflement this morning as to the reason for the shooting.
“It will take time to figure this out”, one Aughamore resident said.
An incident room has been set up at Claremorris Garda Station. A press conference is expected in the afternoon which is expected to cast greater light on the tragedy. Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information on the incident to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
