The 23-year old woman shot dead by her ex-boyfriend before he turned the gun on himself early yesterday morning in Shannon had expressed concern to her friends about his recent behaviour towards her, it emerged yesterday.
The bodies of Ms Geraldine Kissane (23), from Cluain Airne, Shannon, Co Clare and Mr Mark Sims (32), of Drumgeely, Shannon and formerly of Moyross, Limerick, were found shortly after midnight on waste ground behind Ms Kissane's house.
Garda∅, after being alerted to the incident, were moments away when they heard shots ring out.
Local priest Father Tom O'Gorman said that Ms Kissane had confided in friends, expressing concern about Mr Sims's behaviour. It was also confirmed yesterday that Ms Kissane had sent Mr Sims, a separated father of three, at least one solicitor's letter threatening him with court action unless he stopped harassing her.
Insp Tom Kennedy of Shannon Garda Station said yesterday that no formal complaint had been made to garda∅ by Ms Kissane about Mr Sims, though he said local garda∅ were aware of incidents involving the two.
Ms Kissane ended the relationship with Mr Sims some months ago, though both attended a wedding together a number of weeks ago.
They had been going out together for two years.
As the local community tried to come to terms with the tragedy, garda∅ were trying to find out how Mr Sims got the shotgun used in the shooting.
Confirming they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the tragedy, Insp Kennedy said garda∅ have established that Mr Sims was not the licensed owner of the shotgun.
Father O'Gorman said that as Ms Kissane was about to enter the house she shared with her sister, Kerry, having returned from work at a nearby pub, she was grabbed from behind by Mr Sims and then dragged down an alleyway to waste-ground behind the house.
She had earlier called to her mother's house on her way home.
A neighbour, Mr John Sinnott said: "The community here is devastated. You read about it happening everywhere else, but you would never picture it happening here."
A post-mortem examination of the two bodies was being carried out last night by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Maire Cassidy at the Mid-West Regional Hospital, while the gun was being transferred to the Garda Technical Bureau for examination.
