Man kills friend in gun prank

A PRANK ended in tragedy when a young man was accidentally shot dead while drinking with his lifelong friend, gardaí believe.

Jonathan Burgess, 23, and his 20-year-old friend Peter Power spent most of Monday evening drinking in Mr Power’s family home at Newtown, Carrigeen, Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford. They were once neighbours but Mr Power’s family moved out of Waterford city two years ago.

The rest of the Power family were on holiday in Malta when Jonathan and Peter enjoyed a few drinks in the house.

But tragedy struck around 11.30pm on Monday when Mr Burgess, from 98 Priory Lawn, Ballybeg, Waterford city, was shot.

He died instantly from a head wound. Mr Power contacted family in Waterford city. Gardaí were then notified.

Mr Burgess is survived by his parents Kathleen and John, his three older sisters and younger brother. He was the second youngest in the family.

His body was removed to Waterford Regional Hospital where Dr Marie Cassidy of the State Pathologist’s office conducted a post mortem.

Stunned locals described the shooting as a terrible tragedy. “The family only moved here recently. They are involved in the upholstery business. They are a really quiet family and are friendly. We heard absolutely nothing until we saw the garda cars here,” a neighbour said.

Mr Power works with his father as an upholsterer.

The Power family home, an immaculately maintained, cream-coloured bungalow, was sealed off by gardaí yesterday. There were no cars outside the house, bar unmarked garda vehicles. Four horses grazed in a nearby field which was dotted with show-jumping fences.

A double-barrel shotgun was recovered from the scene and Mr Power was speaking with gardaí in Tramore about the tragedy yesterday afternoon.

Local parish priest Fr Brendan Crowley said everyone was in shock.

“This is a very peaceful, rural place. A tragedy like this has rocked our community and our sympathy goes to all concerned,” he said.

“We have said prayers for the victim and all involved. Our prayers and sympathies remain with the two families involved.”

Garda superintendent Jerry Lynch, who is heading the investigation, said it could be several days before they piece together exactly what happened. “We got a phone call at 1am to say a shooting had taken place at a house. Gardaí from Waterford and Tramore responded and found the body of a 23-year-old male at the scene. A shotgun was also recovered from the scene.

“A 20-year-old male was detained in a house in Waterford city under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act in connection with incident.

“We are looking at all aspects of this case and awaiting the help technical and forensic experts. It will take a while for us to examine the scene, the firearm and do all the forensic work.”