Young woman accidentally shot by brother

A YOUNG Cavan woman was killed on Christmas Day after she was accidentally shot with a loaded firearm by her brother.

Sarah Blakely, aged 25, from Ballyheenan, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, died within a few minutes of being hit by a single discharge from a shotgun in her family home.

It is understood the victim's 20-year-old brother had picked up the firearm without realising it was loaded.