A Sligo man who was shot dead following an incident at a house in Australia had been looking forward to spending the rest of his life “in the best country in the world” as a citizen.
Named locally as Damian Conlon, the 31-year-old died at the scene from a gunshot wound - despite efforts by NSW Ambulance paramedics to save his life. An investigation into his death has now been launched by officers from Chifley Police District in NSW.
Police were called to the property on Jenolan Street shortly after 8am on Thursday where they found Mr Conlon suffering a gunshot wound.
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A 57-year-old man - believed to be known to Mr Conlon - was arrested at the house and taken to Oberson Police Station to assist with inquiries.
The son of Dermot and Ethel Conlon, Damian’s death has left locals in Sligo “shocked and saddened.”
“His family is popular and well known in the area and everyone is so shocked and saddened that this has happened,” a local resident said. "It’s a complete shock to his family and everyone is rallying around them. They are waiting on more details as to what happened.”
Damian moved from his hometown in Sligo to Australia over 12 years ago to start a new life when the recession hit Ireland. In a now moving interview with a local paper in Bathurst two years ago when he received his Australian citizenship, Damian said “This is the best country in the world. There’s no better place to live, I reckon.”
He initially went to Australia on a year-long working holiday visa. However, things evolved from there and Damian, a carpenter by trade, successfully set up two businesses which led to a large excavation business called L&D Excavation.
In the interview, Damian said: “I’ve travelled across Australia, so I’ve only been in Bathurst for just about a year and four months, but it’s lovely,” he said, adding he’d settle down there.
And poignantly, he told the paper: “This is the best country in the world. There’s no better place to live, I reckon.”
Police are continuing their investigations. In a statement, NSW Police said: “A crime scene was established, which will be examined by specialist forensic police and a firearm has been seized for further examination.
“Initial inquiries suggest the two men were known to each other,” the statement continued.
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