Gardai are probing if a mum-of-five was shot dead after a pistol was discharged by someone she knew. Gardai suspect the mum was accidentally shot after she tried to disarm the man.
Sandra Boyd, 36, was shot in the west Dublin house on Saturday evening.
The mother of four boys and a one-year-old girl was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital but doctors were unable to save her.
Read more: Tributes flow for 'one of a kind' Finglas mother who died after last night's shooting
A number of people were in the property where she grew up in Collins Place, Finglas, and one is suspected to have been armed. No arrests had been made last night.
A source said: “There is a huge investigation underway but gardai are following a strong line of inquiry.”
While the investigation is still in its infancy, one theory is Ms Boyd tried to disarm the man and the firearm discharged accidentally.
The victim’s heartbroken partner Darren Noonan posted a number of pictures of the couple on social media yesterday and wrote: “Love you forever.”
Her devastated sister Megan told how she adored “every piece” of Sandra and vowed: “I will hold your boys and baby girl as tight as you always did. Your love was endless. I love you so much.”
As part of their inquiry, gardai were yesterday trying to locate some of the people who were in the house at the time to speak to them.
Investigators also recovered a firearm which has been sent for a ballistics examination to establish if it was the gun used in the fatal shooting and if they can recover DNA from it.
The scene remained preserved for the Garda Technical Bureau yesterday while officers also carried out house-to-house inquiries.
A postmortem also took place yesterday at the City Morgue by State Pathologist Dr Sally Ann Collis.
Fianna Fail Councillor Keith Connolly said while he did not know Ms Boyd personally, he does know her extended family.
He told the Irish Mirror: “There’s a profound sense of shock in the area at this incident.
“I send my condolences to the family, it’s very sad.
“The house is very close to the village and it’s a very quiet area compared to other parts that we have had trouble with in the past.”
Tributes were paid on social media as her family were comforted.
Her cousin Hayley Maci Rae posted: “May you get the softest bed in heaven. One of the most amazing kind &
beautiful mother.”
Janine Mooney said: “Still in shock Sandra, you had a heart of gold and would have done anything for anyone.
“You were the best mammy, a great sister, daughter, friend. Look over your babies and your family and give them the strength to get through this.”
Detectives have urged anyone with information on this fatal shooting to contact investigating gardai at Finglas Garda station.
A spokesman said: “We are also appealing for any person driving in the area of Collins Park, Ballygall Road West or any adjacent/ surrounding roads between 8pm and 9pm, particularly drivers of any vehicle or other roads users who may have video footage [dashcam, GoPro or other…] to contact investigating gardai.”
Detectives can be contacted at Finglas Garda station 01 666 7500, the Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Read more: Finglas community in 'profound shock' after mum dies in hospital following shooting
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