Limerick man dies in shooting accident
A man in his late 20s was killed today when he was accidently shot by his friend in Co Limerick.
The victim suffered a fatal gun shot wound to the head while out shooting targets at lunchtime near the village of Patrickswell.
The accident happened shortly after 12.30pm in a laneway leading to a farm at Faha, Ballyhanrahan, on the Adare side of the village.
It's understood the victim, who is from Limerick, died instantly after sustaining a single shot wound to the head from a legally held rifle.
The dead man's friend raised the alarm immediately however the injured man was pronounced dead at the scene.
His friend provided gardaí with a full statement and no-one else is being sought in relation to the incident.
The scene of today's tragedy, was sealed off for several hours and a full technical examination was carried out.
Investigating officers confirmed that the shooting was a "tragic accident".
"This was 100% an accident, a terrible tragedy which took place when two young men were out target shooting," said a garda spokesman.
"We are satisfied that there is no suspicion surrounding the circumstances of this man's death."
Deputy state pathologist Margaret Bolster is due to carry out a post mortem tomorrow at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick.
Shocked locals gathered around the scene of today's tragedy, comforting relatives who arrived at the scene.
One young woman believed to be the dead man's partner was visibly distraught as she ran towards the scene.
"It's such an awful thing to have happened on a day when everyone is out enjoying themselves. It's just unbelievable and such a tragedy," said one elderly woman.
The scene of the accident is a secluded laneway located off a bog road and is often used by people out practising target shoots.
Gardaí said the area was popular because it was so isolated. Gardaí are not releasing the dead man's name until all of his relatives had been informed.
