Irish nurse in critical condition after shooting in Australia

A nurse originally from Mayo has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after been shot at a house in the city of Darwin in north west Australia.

The nurse, in her 30s, is the mother of a young child and is originally from Castlebar. She was found with severe abdominal injuries at the property and is in a critical condition.

A 35-year-old man, believed to be the shooter, was later pronounced dead at the scene and it is believed he took his own life.

Local media reports in Australia say the local police do not anticipate the need to make any arrests.

The woman’s condition remains critical and her family in Mayo have been informed.

Police were called to the home, in Millner in the northern suburbs of Darwin, at 6.30pm on Tuesday after reports of gunshots.

First responders managed to stabilise the woman who underwent surgery on Tuesday night at the Royal Darwin Hospital.

Northern Territory Police Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey said on Wednesday, police and emergency services were called to an address in Sprigg Street in Millner at 6.30pm "after a report of two people suffering gunshot injuries”.

"At the location, first responders identified a female and 35-year-old male, both with apparent gunshot injuries. The female was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit. The male was declared deceased at the scene."

Sergeant Morrissey added: “Firearms have been located, and there does not appear to be any danger to the public.”

Sergeant Morrissey describes the tragedy as “distressing”.

“It’s obviously distressing for family members and friends of the persons involved and also a confronting scene for first responders," he said.