LIVE: Gardaí identify hunter who accidentally shot Tipperary soccer player during match

A deer hunter who accidentally shot a soccer player during a match in Tipperary earlier this year is reported to have been identified by forensic analysis and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions, according to reports. 

Rearcross FC in north Tipperary were hosting nearby Ballymackey FC in a North Tipperary and District League Division 2 game on January 6 of this year when one of its players went down injured near the halfway line about ten minutes into the second half. 

The incident which occurred just after 9pm was brought to the immediate attention of the referee, and it subsequently emerged that the man had been shot in the arm. 

The player was treated at the scene before being rushed to the nearby Limerick University Hospital where the bullet was removed. 

The player was released from hospital the following day. It subsequently emerged that the player had been accidentally shot by a bullet - suspected to have come from deer hunters in the area. 

According to reports over the weekend, the results of ballistic and forensic tests taken from the weaponry of known deer hunters in the region, have come back and the hunter in question has given a statement to gardaí.

Gardaí have said that their investigations are ongoing.