Gardaí believe fatal shooting in Cork was accidental

Gardaí investigating the fatal shooting of a man in Cork city yesterday hope a postmortem and technical examination will clarify the exact circumstances of his death.

Dermot Byrne was at home with a friend in his house on Plunkett Road in Ballyphehane when he was fatally injured at about 4.30pm .

Mr Byrne (41) was in an upstairs room of the semi-detached house when he suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

His friend rang the emergency services but Mr Byrne, who lived alone in the house following the death of his mother, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardaí have spoken to Mr Byrne’s friend but they have yet to take a formal statement as the man was deeply traumatised last night.

Shotgun

The single-barrel, pump-action shotgun was licensed to Mr Byrne. The focus of the investigation is now on the exact circumstances of the shooting. Gardaí say they are inclined to believe the gun was accidentally discharged.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster carried out a preliminary examination of Mr Byrne's body at the scene before it was removed to Cork University Hospital for a postmortem today .

Garda technical experts have begun an examination of the house while ballistics specialists will examine the shotgun.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Tom O'Driscoll described Mr Byrne as "a very friendly, outgoing fellow who always had a good word for people in the neighbourhood".

“We are only hearing sketchy details of what exactly happened and obviously we’ll have to wait the outcome of the Garda investigation, but it sounds a very sad accident and just a terrible tragedy,” he added.