Funeral of man (21) who died in accidental shooting in Co Carlow to take place Monday

Sarah Slater

Tributes are being paid to a 21-year-old man who died in an accidental shooting in Co Carlow.

Paul Fitzpatrick from Killenane Lane, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, died in the incident which occurred close to the village of Leighlinbridge at around 11pm on Tuesday last.

Mr Fitzpatrick, who was accompanied by friends, was fox hunting when the incident took place.

His funeral is to take place on Monday in St Andrew's Church Bagenalstown with burial immediately afterwards in Wells Cemetery Royal Oak.

Emergency services and gardaí were called to the scene and it is understood the man died a short time later.

His body was taken to University Hospital Waterford where a post mortem examination where a post mortem examination was carried out.

Gardaí cordoned off the area to allow for a forensic and technical examination.

The young man is survived by his parents Darran and Rosemarie, brothers Billy and Niall, girlfriend Ebony, grandparents Carmel, Mary and Paddy, aunts, uncles and his “many, many friends and neighbours,” according to his funeral details. He is predeceased by his grandfather Dick and uncle Richard.

The Carlow man’s family said Mr Fitzpatrick would be “eternally missed”.

One sympathiser said online: “Our sincere and heartfelt sympathies Rosemarie, Darran, Billy, Niall, Ebony, extended Fitzpatrick and Nolan families.

“Paul was a wonderful young man and we enjoyed great days out watching him, his brothers and Daniel playing school rugby. The Light of Heaven to you Paul and may God comfort all your family.”

Another added: “Paul was such a lovely guy and always was in good form when we would meet and I will always have fond memories of him, keeping you all in our thoughts at this difficult time.”

In a statement last week, a gardaí confirmed that a man had been fatally injured during an incident.

"Enquiries are ongoing and no further information is available at this time,” gardaí added.