A 56 year old woman has been shot dead and a man has been arrested after a siege in Co Cavan.
The woman’s body as found in a house in the Drumbannon estate on the outskirts of Baileborough last evening.
Gardai made the discovery after the mother four’s sister raised concerns after failing to make contact with her.
A short time later – a man also aged 56 carrying a shotgun – entered the Square Bar in the Market Square in the town and ordered staff and customers to leave.
He then baricaded himself in the basement and a tense stand off ensued – involving local gardai and armed officers from the Emergency Response Unit.
The centre of Baileborough was sealed off and a media blackout put in place – as trained negotiators spoke to the man.
The siege came to an end at around 3 am this morning.
The man was arrested and taken to Bailieborough Garda station.
Meanwhile the body of the woman remains at the scene where she was discovered – which has been sealed off awaiting the arrival of the State Pathologist and a Garda forensic team.