Frail homeowner, 85, accidentally shot dead his neighbour pal, 67, after mistaking him for a burglar
A FRAIL pensioner accidentally blasted his sheep farmer friend to death due to fears he was being targeted by a rural crime gang.
Police believe Martin Caulfield, 85, shot neighbour Brendan Kilduff, 67, in the chest after mistaking him for a burglar.
Mr Caulfield, who lives alone at his isolated farmhouse in Co , was in bed around 11.55pm on Tuesday night when he is understood to have heard his dog barking.
The farmer then noticed the security lights on his property before grabbing his firearm and going downstairs.
Once there, it’s believed he noticed a man in the yard before shouting a warning and opening fire.
A spokesman said: “Gardaí in Castlebar investigating the fatal shooting of the man at Aghamore, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo on September 17, 2019 have released without charge the arrested man (80s), this evening Wednesday 18th September, 2019 and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
"The post mortem has been completed, and the results will not be released for operational reasons.
"Investigations ongoing."