Investigators from the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission yesterday interviewed eight members of the Garda about the circumstances in which a man shot himself in the head after a stand-off with gardaí in Co Wexford.
The commission's investigators went to the scene of the shooting at Ahullen, near Inch, Co Wexford, shortly after it occurred on Tuesday at about 3.30pm.
The farmer injured in the incident remained in a critical condition in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital last night. He shot himself in the head with a legally held handgun during a stand-off with gardaí.
The injured man had earlier fired a shot over the head of an auctioneer who had come to see him after selling a piece of land on his behalf on Monday. The auctioneer, who is based in Wexford town, left the scene at about 12.12am and immediately reported the shooting incident to gardaí.
When local uniform members arrived at the house a siege ensued. Armed back-up and trained Garda negotiators were then called in.
However, while a line of communication was opened with the man, he remained agitated throughout the afternoon. Shortly before 3.30pm he walked out to the driveway of the house and shot himself in the head.
Some of the gardaí on the scene witnessed the shooting. The injured man is married with children. His family were at the house at the time of the shooting.
The ombudsman commission's investigators took control of the farmhouse and garden where the incident took place and worked late into Tuesday night gathering forensic and technical evidence.
They stayed in Wexford on Tuesday and yesterday interviewed the eight Garda members who were involved in the operation.
The ombudsman commission may also conduct further interviews with a small number of rank-and-file gardaí as well as more senior members who were involved in the logistic response to and management of the incident.
Other emergency workers involved in the operation, such as paramedics who attended to the injured man at the scene, are also expected to be interviewed.
A separate Garda investigation is also under way. It is being led by Chief Supt Michael Murphy, who is in charge of the Wexford division. The injured man's family were said to be in a "very distressed" state last night. They were being comforted by friends and family.
Members of the ombudsman commission's investigation team spoke to them briefly yesterday.
