Brother of Irish sports star shot dead in Spain

Sarah Slater

A brother of a well-known Irish sports star has been shot dead in Barcelona, Spain.

The 36-year-old man, originally from Dublin’s north inner city, was killed in the Carrer de Balmes area on Thursday morning at around 9am.

In the aftermath of the shooting, a large police tent was set up.

A manhunt for the suspected shooter has been launched by the local Guàrdia Urbana, who have yet to locate the alleged killer.

However, Spanish police have found the suspected murder weapon and have released CCTV images of the suspected gunman.

Bullets inside a magazine were discovered at a bus stop in Plaça de Gal·la Placídia, reports indicate.

A local resident who lives close to the dead man’s parents in Dublin said, "his parents are highly respected in the area.

"They really are lovely people, as is his older brother, who did his country proud in the sport which made him so well known.

“Word is spreading fast around the local community as to who the Irishman who died is. So many people respect his family and his well-known brother.”

Garda headquarters and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been contacted for a statement.