A man has died after being shot in an armed raid in a post office in Kilkenny this afternoon.
The man, a postmaster, was shot in the stomach during the raid. He has been named as 31-year-old Alan Cunniffe.
The robbery happened in the John's Green area shortly after 12.10pm.
The shooting victim was taken to St Luke's General Hospital where he died this afternoon.
The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has said he is horrified and deeply saddened by the death of the post office worker. He described it as a cruel and senseless taking of a young man's life.
An Post has said it is shocked and horrified by what it describes as the savagery of the incident.
A man was arrested in Wolfe Tone Street in connection with the incident and a handgun and a quantity of cash were recovered.
He is being detained at Kilkenny Garda Station.
Anyone who was in the John's Green or Wolfe Tone area of Kilkenny city between midday and 12.20pm are asked to contact gardaí on 056-7775067.
