A MAN suspected of raping a woman in Howth, Co Dublin last Friday shot himself dead that night.
The 29 year old man turned a legally owned shotgun on himself after being questioned by gardai investigating an allegation of rape at Howth" Harbour.
The victim of the alleged rape is in hospital.
The man, a member of a well known family in the area, was buried in Howth yesterday morning. There was a large attendance at the funeral. Locals said the affair was a tragedy for all concerned. Many people came to the funeral to offer comfort to the dead man's family, they said.
The alleged rape took place early on Friday morning. The man had met the woman in a local nightclub and they left together.
Gardai believe the alleged rape happened between 2.45 a.m. and 5.45 a.m. in an isolated part of the harbour area.
The woman was found and taken to hospital as an investigation into the incident began. Investigating gardai spoke to the man during the day. Later that evening, he obtained a legally owned shotgun which is understood to belong to a relative.
Shortly before 10 p.m. the man killed himself in his apartment on Abbey Street, where he is understood to have lived with his girlfriend.
There has been speculation locally that there was more than one man involved in the alleged rape but, while the Garda investigation into the incident at the harbour is continuing, it is understood the dead man was regarded as the only suspect.
Garda Headquarters said whether or not a rape took place would not be established until the investigation into the allegation of rape at the harbour had been concluded. The death of the man was being handled as a separate incident, and "foul play is not suspected", a spokesman said.