Man injured in Gort shooting off critical list

The south Galway man injured in a shoot-out at his home in Gort on Monday is off the critical list at University College Hospital…

The south Galway man injured in a shoot-out at his home in Gort on Monday is off the critical list at University College Hospital, Galway.

A spokeswoman for the hospital confirmed to ireland.comthis afternoon that the man was off the critical list and described his condition as "stable."

Anthony Burke (40) was hit in the chest by an officer from the Garda Emergency Response Unit after he walked out of the house firing a shotgun on Monday evening.

According to gardaí, Mr Burke was shot after he fired a number of shots and acted in a very threatening manner on leaving his home after a 21-hour stand-off.

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Gardaí said that Mr Burke was shot initially by "bean bag" rounds - non-lethal ammunition - but after that failed to disable him, a garda sniper shot the man once on the upper body.

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy yesterday appointed Chief Supt Kieran Kenny, from Sligo Garda station, to investigate "all aspects" of Monday night's incident.

Garda actions were defended yesterday by Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, who said the force had his "full backing in these situations."

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Iriseoir agus Eagarthóir Gaeilge An Irish Times. Éanna Ó Caollaí is The Irish Times' Irish Language Editor, editor of The Irish Times Student Hub, and Education Supplements editor.