Irish nurse in critical condition after being shot in Australia

The nurse, aged in her 30s, is originally from Co Mayo and is the mother of a young child.

The woman was found with severe abdominal injuries at the property.

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

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

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

First responders managed to stabilise the woman who underwent surgery on Tuesday night.

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

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 6.30 pm “for 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,” he said.

“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 said: “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.

Speaking to a local news outlet a neighbour in Millner said she heard two loud noises “a few minutes apart.”

“We thought it might have been crackers… because the dog gets scared with bangs, but it just didn’t sound right, and I could hear yelling,” she said.

“And then we saw police running down the street and lights, so we knew something had happened.

“I think we are all a bit shocked. It’s really sad,” she said.