Castlebar woman shot in Australia said to be in stable condition

A WOMAN from Castlebar who is being treated for gunshot wounds is said to be in a critical but stable condition following surgery in an Australian hospital. 

The woman, who has been named locally as Eileen Gibbons, was shot by an assailant who passed away from self-inflicted gunshot wounds following the attack. 

The 38-year-old mother-of-one sustained serious wounds to her abdomen after the shooting on Wednesday evening.

Police were called to a home in Darwin, just after 6.30pm local time on Tuesday, after a neighbour heard two gunshots.

Her assailant, a 35-year-old male who was known to her, died at the scene from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. A firearm was also found lying near his body.

The 38-year-old was stabilised by paramedics at the scene before being rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.

Relatives have been told that Ms Gibbons is 'conscious and her condition is stable'.

The Irish Examiner reports that Ms Gibbons has four siblings.

Her father, a retired ambulance driver, passed away in May 2021 while her mother, works in a local retail outlet.

Her family are currently travelling to Australia to be with her.

Cllr Martin McLoughlin, who knows her family well, told The Mayo News that local people in Castlebar are reeling today (Friday) following the news. 

"It's on everybody's lips. The town is absolutely shocked and devastated. When you are in a situation like this there’s no answers. You don’t have adequate words even, never mind answers."

The Castlebar-based representative said he was 'full of hope' for Ms Gibbons, who is being supported by a large community of Castlebar people living in Darwin, who he said were 'like one big family'. 

"It's amazing the amount of Castlebar people that's living in Darwin. They are all that age but they are all her age. They're there for her and they're real, real friends. And they’ll be there day after day, night after night with her, and for her, and supporting her and everything she needs," said Cllr McLoughlin. 

Police in Darwin are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said police do not expect to make any arrests in connection with the shooting.