The town of Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim was left reeling in shock after the suicide of a retired Detectve Garda at the local station on Saturday.

Detective Garda Peter O’Donnell, who left the force only three weeks ago, went to the Carrick-on-Shannon Garda Station, accessed the gun armory, got an Uzi sub machine gun and took his life after locking himself into a room.

O’Donnell, a married father of four children, was pronounced dead at the station and a port mortem is being carried out Sunday by state pathologist Dr. Marie Cassidy.

O’Donnell was a prominent member of the local community and his death comes as a great shock to those who knew him.

He was originally from County Donegal and joined the Garda Siochana (Police Force) in 1974.  O'Donnell was made detective in 1997 and was well respected by his peers.