Gardaí believe fatal shooting of man in Cork may be accidental

Gardaí are investigating the death of a man in what is believed to be a shooting accident in a house in Ballyphehane on Cork's southside.

Its understood the 41-year-old man suffered fatal gunshot injuries when he and another man were handling the gun in an upstairs room at the house on Plunkett Road in Ballyphehane at 4.30pm on Tuesday afternoon.

The man’s friend - who is also in his early 40s - notified the emergency services who attended the man at the scene . He was pronounced dead and his body remains at the house.

Gardaí have cordoned off the house for a forensic examination and have taken possession of the shotgun, which is legally held by one of the parties involved in the incident.

Gardaí have yet to take a formal statement from the survivor, who is said to be deeply traumatised.

However, early indications suggest the shooting in the end of terrace house was an accident

Gardaí contacted the State Pathologist's Office and Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster carried out a preliminary examination at the house shortly.

It is expected the man's body has been removed to the morgue at Cork University Hospital where a full postmortem will be carried out by Dr Bolster.