Mayo death: Gardaí believe pensioner was shot before house was set on fire; one man arrested

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of a body in a house that was on fire in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on Sunday evening.

Gardaí believe the dead man, named locally as 83-year-old John Brogan, had been fatally shot before the house was set on fire.

Brogan was a retired bachelor farmer who lived alone in a cottage at Pheasant Hill, Cloonkeen, Castlebar.

His body was found in the property after the fire was brought under control.

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It is understood the victim had been shot a number of times. A firearm has also been recovered by gardaí carrying out the murder investigation.

The dead man had previously come to the attention of the Garda over alleged historic abuse offences.

A number of local people had gathered outside the house as it was in flames last night, though they were unable to enter the property to check for anyone inside as the flames had taken hold.

Shortly after 6.30pm, gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of a fire at a house on Pheasanthill, Castlebar, Co Mayo. The body of a man was discovered inside the residence.

The arrested man is detained in Castlebar Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The scene is preserved and the services of the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.

Gardaí in Castlebar are appealing to any person who may have information in relation to this incident to contact them at Castlebar Garda station on 094 903 8200, the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

A Garda spokesman said investigations are ongoing and that there is no further comment at this time.