Gardaí have launched a probe into the death of a man in his 80s in Co Kerry on Sunday, who is understood to have suffered gunshot wounds.
It’s understood that gardaí are speaking to a man in connection with the man’s death, and that they were known to each other.
Sources said that the man had been retired for some time, but had still been active in his community.
Locals who spoke to the said they were shocked and saddened upon hearing of his passing on Sunday morning, which took place in a small village with a tight-knit community. Castlemaine is located roughly half-way between Killorglin and Tralee.
A spokesperson said they were investigating “all the circumstances” around the discovery of the man’s body outside his home in Castlemaine early on Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to the location in the mid-Kerry village, and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sources said that when the man’s body was removed from the scene and taken to University Hospital Kerry, it was discovered he had sustained gunshot wounds.
A spokesperson said that the scene is currently being preserved for technical examination and both the State pathologist and local coroner had been notified.
“The results of a post-mortem examination will assist Gardaí in determining the course of the investigation,” the garda spokesperson said.
Gardaí have indicated that no further update will be forthcoming until the post-mortem has been completed.
It is expected to take place on Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, the scene remained cordon off on Sunday pending the examination from garda investigators.
