Son due in court to face charge after dad’s death
A MAN who is alleged to have shot his own father on the family farm will be brought before court today.
Thomas Biggins ( 71) died on Sunday afternoon after sustaining a gunshot wound from a double- barrelled shotgun which was legally held and registered in his own name.
The dairy farmer was shot at the family farm at Wallpark, Glencorrib, Co Mayo.
His 33- year- old son John was arrested in relation to the incident a short time later. He has been charged and will be brought before Ballina District Court today.
John Biggins was being held at Claremorris garda station last night. It is understood that he will also have to undergo a psychological assessment.
Gardai remained at the farm yesterday and a steady stream of people were seen to come and go from the house.
Investigating officers found two spent shotgun shells and seized the weapon that was allegedly used in the shooting during their searches on Sunday.
Mr Biggins was rushed to the regional hospital in Galway but died of his wounds at around 4.30pm.
Gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Mr Biggins is survived by his three adult sons John, Noel and Joseph, his adult daughter Theresa and his wife Kathleen.
He had another daughter who passed away a number of years ago.
Locals yesterday described Mr Biggins as a very decent man who was a life- long farmer.
Decent
“He was a man of the land, he had some interest in music and the GAA, but he loved the land,” one local told the Irish Independent.
“Tom grew up in the area, he was born and raised there. He was a very decent man and we'll never see the like of him again,” he added.
Another local described how Mr Biggins had once given up part of his land, which overlooks Lough Corrib, for a waterworks pump house.
“That's the kind of man he was, he even helped to build it,” she said.