LAST UPDATE | 18 Sep 2019

GARDAÍ BELIEVE A man his 80s arrested by gardaí early this morning after a man was shot dead in Mayo thought the victim was an intruder. 

TheJournal.ie understands that the man, who has worked as a farmer all his life, fired a number of warning shots in the direction of a vehicle which had entered his land shortly before midnight last night. 

One of the shots struck the victim and he was killed.

The victim, a man in his 60s who has been named locally as Brendan Kilduff, was known to the arrested man. 

Gardaí are investigating if the victim was coming to check in on the pensioner when he was shot dead. 

The arrested man is understood to be cooperating fully with An Garda Síochána and is said to be in a state of “complete shock and devastation”, according to sources familiar with the incident. 

The investigation is still at a very early stage but gardaí are following a line of inquiry that at the time he fired his gun, the pensioner did not know the identity of the person who had entered his land. 

The incident occurred at 11.55pm in Aghamore, Ballyhaunis in Mayo.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, which was preserved for forensic tests. 

Gardaí confirmed this evening that the body of the deceased man had been removed to Mayo University Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out. 

The examination is expected to be completed this evening. 

An incident room has been established at Claremorris Garda Station

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have information that can help them with the investigation to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 937 2080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. 

- With reporting by Garreth MacNamee and Daragh Brophy