A man in his 50s has been charged in Fermoy this evening in connection with the murder of a man (60) in the town yesterday.
John Mahon, a self-employed painting contractor from St Bernard's Place, Fermoy, was fatally wounded by a gunman who shot him several times as he tried to flee to his sister's house at about 12.30am yesterday.
The arrested man was questioned in Fermoy Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act until about 8pm, when he was charged. The man is now expected to be brought before a special sitting of Mitchelstown District Court, possibly this evening, or early tomorrow.
Mr Mahon was a former international boxing referee and a senior official of the Munster Boxing Association.
Supt Flor Horan, of Fermoy Garda station, confirmed that Mr Mahon had been drinking for a short time in a pub on Saturday night. After leaving he became involved in a dispute with a man on Fermoy Bridge at midnight.
Mr Mahon, a separated father of five adult children, was picked up by his girlfriend at the bridge. They drove up Oliver Plunkett Hill to his house, where they sat talking in the car for about 30 minutes. But as he got out to go into his house, he was shot at by a gunman.
Gardaí believe the attacker then walked away but may have had a car nearby.