Millner shooting victim Eileen Gibbons in critical condition after attempted murder-suicide

The Irish loved ones of a Darwin social worker are rallying to her hospital bedside from after she was shot in an attempted murder-suicide in a Northern Suburbs home.

Loved ones of an Irish mum are rallying to her hospital bedside after she was reportedly ‘ambushed’ in an attempted murder-suicide in a Darwin home.

Irish health worker Eileen Gibbons has been identified as the victim of the Millner home shooting on Tuesday evening.

Major Crime Detective Paul Morrissey on Wednesday said a 35-year-old man was found dead at the Millner scene with a firearm close to his body, while the woman suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

On Friday morning, NT Health said she remained in a critical condition at Royal Darwin Hospital.

Neighbours said she and her one-year-old daughter were living in a domestic violence shelter at the time, and had gone to the Millner home to pick up her belongings when she was “ambushed” by her 35-year-old ex-partner.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Morrissey on Wednesday said a 35-year-old man was found dead at the Millner scene with a firearm close to his body, while the woman suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Territory Families have not confirmed if the woman was part of the Family Safety Framework — an ‘action-based integrated service response’ for people at high risk of serious injury or death from domestic violence.

Irish media have reported Ms Gibbons’ family are preparing to fly to Darwin to be by her side.

Ms Gibbons had been living in Darwin for several years, and originally hailed from Castlebar, in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland.

Mayo County councillor Martin McLoughlin told the Irish Times that the Castlebar community of 12,000 people were “shocked”.

“I know the family well. I woke up this morning to the devastating news,” Cr McLoughlin said.

NT Police continues to investigate the shooting of two Top End residents in Millner, resulting in the death of a 35-year-old man. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The community here is shocked to the core. I can only wish Eileen the very best and I hope she makes a full recovery.

“Our prayers and thoughts are with the family at this dreadfully painful time”.

Cr McLoughlin told another news agency Galway Beo that Ms Gibbons was from a popular family in town.

“The entire town of Castlebar has come together in the hope of her full recovery. We are praying and hoping.

“Incidents like this are awful no matter where they happen, but this hits very close to home when it‘s someone from your community.”

Mayo Teachta Dála (MP) Alan Dillon said the news was “devastating” and his heart went out to her family.

“It‘s a horrendous event,” the local representative said.

“I don't think words can describe the shock and the worry they must be feeling.

“We can only hope that she makes a full recovery and the community is praying.”

Originally published as Millner shooting victim Eileen Gibbons in critical condition after attempted murder-suicide