Bullet that struck player sent to ballistics experts

The bullet extracted from the arm of a soccer player who was shot in a freak incident during a game in Rearcross on Saturday night last has been sent to the Garda Ballistics Unit as local members of the force renew their appeal for information in a bid to establish how the accident occurred.

The 32-year-old player, a member of Rearcross FC, was shot and wounded shortly after 9pm while playing a match under floodlights against Ballymackey FC at the time of the incident.

Gardaí suspect that he was hit by a stray bullet by someone hunting in the area at the time.

Following the shooting, calls have been made on the Government for a ban on hunting with guns during night hours.

Players and spectators heard the 32-year-old player cry out in pain as he fell to the ground a short time into the second half of the game.

To their shock, they discovered that the injured man had suffered a gunshot wound to one of his arms.

The emergency services were immediately alerted, with both gardaí and paramedics rushing to the scene. The injured man was treated at the grounds before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick.

He was fully assessed and underwent additional treatment at the hospital late into Saturday night. Fortunately, his injuries were not life-threatening and he was later released from hospital.

CLUB SHOCKED

In a statement on the day after the game, Rearcross Football club said: “All at Rearcross FC are totally shocked at the turn of events last night when our Junior B team were playing a Division 2 league game under lights and a very serious incident occurred.

“We are glad to say that our player is well and was discharged from hospital earlier this morning. We wish him a speedy recovery.

“We would like to thank all club members who were here last night, Ballymackey FC, the match referee and the North Tipperary & District League for their help under such unforeseen circumstances. Our thanks to the paramedics who attended Rearcross FC grounds and the gardaí who are pursuing their investigations.”

The highly unusual incident made national media headlines, including on RTÉ’s main evening television news. Ballymackey FC Chairman, George Haverty, was quoted as saying the incident was a terrible shock for everyone. He wished the player involved a good recovery. After the incident the scene was immediately preserved for forensic and technical examination and investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses.

Sergeant Declan O’ Carroll of Nenagh Garda Station said they were  particularly appealing to individuals who may have been hunting in the area at the time to come forward.

The investigation is being carried out by gardaí from Nenagh station.

Gardaí strongly suspect it was an accidental shooting by a hunter and Sergeant O’ Carroll confirmed that the bullet, shot from a rifle, was being sent to the ballistics unit of the force as those involved in the investigation try to establish the exact make and model of the firearm involved.

NIGHT HUNTING

One hunter, who didn’t wish to be named, contacted this newspaper and said there was an increase in the locality of deer hunters who are allowed to legally hunt at night under certain conditions because of calls to cull the growing deer population.

He claimed two cattle, one in Curryquinn, Dolla, and the other in the Rossmore area of the county, were killed in recent times by stray bullets. These claims were not confirmed by gardaí.

Our source said he would be afraid to go to hunt in certain areas of County Tipperary at night due to fears of being struck by a stray bullet. He said night hunting with guns should be banned.

Following the incident, the Association of Hunt Saboteurs also renewed its call for a ban on the practice, saying it was “dangerous and reckless”.