By Sarah Mac Donald - 12 October, 2015
Archbishop Eamon Martin celebrates Mass in Knock. Pic courtesy RTE News
The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has described the fatal shootings of a member of An Garda Síochána, and of a civilian in Omeath Co Louth as “shocking”.
Archbishop Martin is currently attending the Synod of Bishops in Rome.
He said he had spoken by telephone to the local priests.
“Like me they are very upset by this tragic incident which has devastated families and rocked the peaceful parish community in beautiful Omeath.”
“I ask for prayers for the recovery of the injured woman and for the families, friends and neighbours of those who have lost their lives.”
Archbishop Martin also encouraged anyone who has information that could help the Gardaí with their investigation to come forward.
The shooting occurred early on Sunday evening when Gardaí responded to what is thought to have been a domestic dispute.
Members from Omeath Garda Station responded to a call from a woman at a house on the Cooley Peninsula near Carlingford. When they arrived at the scene, shots were fired and a Garda was fatally injured.
The incident is being treated as murder suicide.
The deceased Garda was in his 30s, and a father of three children, all under the age of eight.
A second man was also shot dead during the incident. A woman in the house at the time was also shot. Her condition in hospital is described as serious.
In a statement, Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”.
She also said the fatal shooting highlights the dangers the Gardaí face during the course of their duty.
The shooting happened close to where Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was fatally shot two years ago.
