Abbeyleix inquiry: Garda killed by ricochet

The garda shot dead accidentally by a colleague during the foiled bank robbery in Abbeyleix earlier this month was killed by a ricochet.

An internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Det Sgt John Eiffe has now clearly established he was hit by a blast from a shotgun fired by a detective from the emergency response unit (ERU).

Det Sgt Eiffe, a member of the national surveillance unit, was struck in the right side by a high powered cartridge fired from the shotgun.

The cartridge then travelled upwards and exited from his upper chest.