A man remains in a critical condition in hospital today after shooting himself in the head following a stand-off with armed gardaí in Co Wexford yesterday.
The incident took place outside the man's home at Ahullen, Ballyfad yesterday afternoon.
It followed a three-hour stand-off apparently sparked by an argument with a local auctioneer following the recent sale of some of his land.
The man (49) fired at least one shot in the air over the head of the auctioneer. The auctioneer fled the house and reported the shooting.
Gardaí surrounded the house for several hours. Armed members and trained negotiators were called in. A direct line of communication was opened with the man inside the house.
However, according to Garda sources efforts to calm him failed. He walked out of his home at around 3.30pm and pointed his shotgun at his head, discharging it.
The injured man was rushed Beaumont Hospital in Dublin where he remains in a critical condition.
Gardaí and the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission are conducting separate investigations into the incident.
