Garda dies following tragic shooting incident in Co. Donegal garda station

A senior member of an Garda Siochana has died following a shooting in a garda station in Co. Donegal today.

The incident which occurred in the early hours of this morning in Ballyshannon garda station has left three young children without a father.

Launching an investigation into the horrifying incident, the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has deemed the garda's death 'a dreadful tragedy', but they are not treating the death as suspicious.

It is understood the weapon used during the incident had been taken from the station's store room and colleagues of the deceased garda have been offered counselling in the aftermath of today's events.

Recognising the impact the man's death will have, a source said: "This is a dreadful tragedy and our thoughts are with our colleague’s wife and children. This has left his family and colleagues heartbroken and traumatised."

Our thoughts go out to his devastated family at this difficult time.