Police officer shot dead 'with own gun' in Ireland

Suspect arrested in connection with incident in County Roscommon

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A police officer in has died after being shot with his own gun in Ireland.

The Garda detective was been killed following a struggle just before midnight on Wednesday in the town of Castlerea, in County Roscommon.

The incident occurred close to the local garda station.

“One man has been arrested in connection with this investigation and is currently detained,” police said in a statement.

On Thursday morning, the town centre remained closed to traffic as investigations continued into the incident which happened close to the station itself.

Police say they will identify the officer once his next of kin have been informed but The Irish Times reports he was in his 40s and had worked in the town of 2,000 people for many years.

Charlie Flanagan, Ireland’s justice minister, called the incident “tragic” and said a murder investigation was underway.

“My heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends and all Garda,” he said.