Balla shop shooter for court on Friday

Man due back in court after Balla shooting


Locals shocked after woman shot while working

Aine Ryan

A man who gardaí arrested last week after a bizarre shooting of a supermarket attendant in a Costcutter shop, in Balla, is due to appear before Harristown District Court on Friday next, June 10. Judge Mary Devins recommended that he be medically assessed after he was charged with assault causing serious harm at a sitting of Ballina District Court on Friday last. 
Shock waves reverberated through the quiet central Mayo village of Balla on Tuesday evening last (May 31) after 47-year-old, Vincent O’Donnell, of Knocknabrone, Mayo Abbey, walked into the small supermarket around 6.30pm, armed with a full-length firearm, and allegedly shot supermarket attendant, Dympna Walsh in both legs. It has since emerged he knew Ms Walsh, who is in her 50s and the mother of four adult sons.
The drama erupted shortly after 6.30pm on Tuesday when Vincent O’Donnell, who is known to locals and lives some three miles away in Mayo Abbey, walked into the Costcutter Supermarket on the outskirts of the village, carrying a full-length firearm.
He proceeded to approach the counter and allegedly fired what is believed to be two shots at Dympna Walsh.
Reportedly, O’Donnell then dropped the weapon and fled the scene on foot, before making his escape in a car that was parked some distance from the supermarket.
Ms Walsh lay in some distress on the floor of the supermarket for some time before an ambulance arrived to take her to Mayo General Hospital. During the interim, a customer in the shop helped Ms Walsh to the best of her ability.
The Mayo News understands Ms Walsh will remain in hospital for a number of weeks and has undergone surgery. 
Gardaí from Castlebar immediately launched a manhunt in surrounding areas and shortly after 8pm on Tuesday evening they arrested Mr O’Donnell in a rural public house roughly three miles from the scene of the shooting. He was conveyed to Castlebar Garda Station where he was detained for questioning. The scene of the shooting was immediately sealed off for a full technical examination.
A shotgun, believed to have been used in the incident, was subsequently recovered and has been sent for forensic examination.

Man known locally
LOCALS from the Balla area confirmed to The Mayo News that Mr O’Donnell was known in the area and was employed as a barber in Claremorris town. They also confirmed that the injured party and the man knew each other.
“From the outside looking in, this may look like a botched robbery, but all the locals know that the man who allegedly carried out the shooting is known to Ms Walsh.
“Dympna has worked in Castlebar and Balla for many years. All the locals wish her a speedy recovery from what must have been an awful ordeal,” said one local.
The Costcutter shop, where the shooting took place, is owned by Mr Peter Gaughan. It was renovated last year and now also houses the local post office.
Local Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke said the incident must have been an ‘horrific experience’ for the injured party and her co-worker.
“Locals were shocked to hear of a shooting on a normal evening when people from the area were just returning home from work.
“The injured woman is well known to everyone in the area and we all hope she can make a full recovery from her serious injuries,” said Cllr Burke.
Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to contact Castlebar Station on 094 9038200.

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