Anthony Burke (40) has been rushed into the emergency ward of University College Hospital, Galway, after opening fire on Gardai. He barricaded himself in his house, which is located in a cul de sac in Crowe St., while a Garda helicopter circled overhead all day. As many as 50 uniformed and plain-clothes police were deployed in the area. All roads to the house were sealed off, and media representatives were kept away.
The drama unfolded after Mr. Burke had a fight with his partner Mags Corless. The couple has three children, two of which are not Burke's. On the night in question Burke came home late and intoxicated after a funeral. He was still mourning his father, who had died a month ago. Neighbors heard shouting and the sound of smashing dishes. They thought they heard gunfire as well. One of the neighbors helped Corless get out of the house. Burke remained inside for 22 hours. At first the police sent a trained negotiator to talk to Burke. They came to an agreement and Burke, who was in possession of two shotguns, surrendered one of them eventually. An hour later he emerged from his house without warning and opened fire on Gardai and medics from the Emergency Unit. The police shot several non-lethal rounds, hitting him around three times. This did not deter the maniac – he just kept shooting. Then a Garda marksman shot a .308 rifle, hitting Burke in the chest. He was rushed to the hospital. Sources describe his condition as “critical”.
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