Murder hunt after man shot dead

“WE are absolutely devastated by this tragedy because what has happened is a complete mystery to the family.” These were the words of heartbroken Ray Poland after his 39-year-old brother Seán was shot dead when he opened the door of his home to thieves on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s an awful start to the new year. We can’t believe it because Seán did no harm to anyone and was a

happy-go-lucky man,” said Ray, who lives with his wife and family a short distance from the scene of the murder in Blackwater, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare. The victim, who was not married, was living with his partner Joanne Lyons (nee Joyce) in a yellow bungalow adjacent to where he ran a second-hand car business. A murder hunt has been launched for the killers of Mr Poland and gardaí believe robbery may have been the motive for his death.