A murder investigation is under way after a man was found dead by emergency services personnel dealing with a house fire in Co Mayo yesterday evening.
The man, who has been named locally as 83-year-old John Brogan, lived alone in a cottage at Pheasant Hill, Cloonkeen, Castlebar.
He had been shot a number of times.
The house and the surrounding area have been sealed off as officers from the Garda Technical Bureau conduct a forensic examination of the scene.
A man in his 60s was arrested at the scene and has been detained for questioning at Castlebar Garda Station where he can be questioned for up to 24 hours.
The victim was the subject of a garda investigation in relation to a number of allegations of abuse which had been made against him.
The investigation related to offences which were alleged to have happened in the past 20 years.
A number of files were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who decided the man should be charged and brought before the courts.
At the time of his death, he had not been convicted of the allegations made against him.
The well-known retired bachelor farmer's family lived at Pheasant Hill, near Castlebar, for generations.
He had been living alone since the sudden death of his brother, Henry, over five years ago.
According to locals, he was a familiar figure on his bicycle over the years cycling to and from Castlebar, several kilometres away.
Councillor Martin McLoughlin, a member of Mayo County Council, said this morning the local community is shocked and saddened by the "grim" events which unfolded yesterday.
He described the death of Mr Brogan as "an absolute tragedy".
Gardaí have issued an appeal to anyone with relevant information to contact them at Castlebar Garda Station on 094 9038200, on the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or at any garda station.
Additional reporting Paul Reynolds
