A murder investigation was launched in Castlebar, Co Mayo, last night following the death in hospital of a 26 year-old man who sustained gunshot wounds earlier at a petrol station in the town.
The victim was shot a number of times in the back as he attended to his vehicle outside the Top Oil filling station at Moneen around 3.30 pm.
He was rushed by ambulance to the nearby Mayo General Hospital where he died some hours later. It is believed a shotgun was used in the attack.
A member of the the victim’s family was injured recently in a similar shooting at the same location. He has since recovered.
The man’s attackers fled in a dark-coloured estate style car in the direction of Claremorris.
The Garda follow-up operation wasn’t helped by storm-force winds and torrential rain at the time of the shooting.
The scene of the shooting has been preserved pending a full Garda technical examination.
Michael Kilcoyne, a dual member of Mayo County Council and Castlebar Town Council, expressed concern that Mayo was becoming a "murder hotspot" with six murders in as many months.
Investigating are appealing for witnesses to contact Castlebar Garda Station on 094-9038200, the Garda Confidential Line 1-800-666-111, or any Garda station.