A MAN who fired a number of shots at gardaí before turning the gun on himself in a roadside incident in Co Tipperary on Monday night was a keen hunter.
Anthony McMahon (44), originally from Janesboro in Limerick city, is believed to have shot himself in the head after firing a number of shots at unarmed gardaí on the Thurles road outside Newport.
The community of Newport was in shock yesterday as details of what happened emerged.
The separated father of a 14-year-old boy was stopped by Garda Gerry Brassil and Sgt Deborah Marsh of Newport station at 7.30pm as he drove his work van along the Thurles road.
A source close to the investigation said the van was seen driving “in an erratic manner” moments before gardaí stopped it.
As Garda Brassil approached the van it is understood a shot was fired from the vehicle, narrowly missing the garda. The garda is believed to have suffered minor burns to his face and hands from the gunshot.
Garda Brassil is believed to have tussled with Mr McMahon, who is believed to have then grabbed another firearm in the van. As the two gardaí ran for cover, Mr McMahon is believed to have fired another four or five shots from a rifle, before turning the gun on himself.
An investigation is being led by officers from the Office of the Garda Ombudsman.
A man who knew the dead man said he was a keen shooter who loved the outdoors.
“He went shooting every Wednesday. Monday was the last day of the shooting season. He had one gun for shooting birds and the other for shooting animals. His son went everywhere with him, I’m told. It’s very sad.”