Fisherman killed in deadly shark attack in Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co. Offaly

By Paul McRingo Fish Correspondent

A man has been killed in a fatal shark attack in the Grand Canal in Tullamore.

The man has been named locally as 65 year-old Jack Ryan who witnesses say was standing in the canal wearing fishing waders when the shark struck.

Detective Brian Jennings is leading the investigation into Mr Ryan’s death.

“To my knowledge this is the first ever deadly shark attack in County Offaly. And just to be clear, when I say deadly obviously I don’t mean it was bleedin’ deadly. Although I imagine there was a hell of a lot of bleeding. But we’ll never know for sure because we didn’t recover a body as it seems the shark ate all of Mr Ryan. He must have been very hungry.”

The Detective was asked how come there’s a shark in the Grand Canal.

“We believe somebody brought the shark from the ocean and placed it in the canal. Probably for a laugh.”

Another reporter asked what people should do if they encounter the shark.

“Remain perfectly still. A shark’s vision is based entirely on movement so if you don’t move he can’t see you. Or is that dinosaurs?”

The shark was last seen swimming east along the canal towards Dublin.