Experts examine gun in fatal shooting in Cork

Forensic experts have been called in to examine the gun used in the fatal shooting of a 41-year-old man in Cork.

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the death of Diarmuid Byrne at his home on Plunkett Rd, Ballyphehane, on Tuesday.

Mr Byrne, a single man who had a city championship medal at minor level with Ballyphehane GAA, held guns legally as he liked to hunt rabbits at the weekend.

A friend, also in his 40s, was also upstairs in the house at the time of the incident on Tuesday afternoon. He has yet to be formally interviewed by Togher gardaí.

It is believed the gun was accidentally discharged in what was a tragic accident, said local Independent councillor, Mick Finn. The dead man suffered a single gun shot wound to the head. His friend contacted emergency services immediately.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil councillor Tom O’Driscoll said “while the full details of the accident haven’t emerged, this was an awful tragedy”.

“The Byrne family lived here for years. They are well-liked, quiet people. Diarmuid loved hunting and he loved GAA. He was a goalkeeper with Ballyphehane GAA at one point,” he said.

The dead man is survived by a brother and sister. Mr Byrne lived alone in the family home since his mother, passed away about two years ago.

Ballyphehane GAA PRO, Tom Quirke, extended his sympathies to the family and said Mr Byrne will be sadly missed.

“He was a great goalkeeper at underage and minor level in football and he showed great promise in hurling.

“He won a city championship medal at minor grade. They are a GAA family. His dad would have had a county championship medal with Collins,” he said.

An autopsy was held yesterday and a technical examination was also undertaken.