Pair 'died of gunshot wounds'

A 23-year-old woman died from gunshot wounds inflicted by her former boyfriend who then committed suicide, a postmortem examination has shown.

Geraldine Kissane, from Shannon, was shot by ex-lover Mark Simms, 32, originally from Limerick, but living in Shannon, after they rowed on the Cluain Airne housing estate.

Mr Simms turned the sawn off shotgun on himself after killing Ms Kissane, just moments before gardai and family members could come to her aid late on Sunday night.

The state pathologist, Dr John Harbison, carried out a postmortem examination on both bodies and said today that Ms Kissane died from two gunshot wounds while Mr Simms died from a single shot to the body.

The two bodies were released to their families this morning.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be made tomorrow.