Victim of Darwin murder-suicide attempt is identified as an Irish nurse as family flock to Australia after ex-boyfriend ‘attacked her and then took his own life’

A woman who was shot during a murder-suicide attempt by her ex-boyfriend, killing him and leaving her fighting for her life, has been identified as an Irish nurse.

Eileen Gibbons is fighting for life with stomach wounds after her ex-partner Ralph Donald, 35, shot her at his family home in Darwin and then turned the gun on himself.

Mrs Gibbons, whose frantic family flew in from Ireland to be at her hospital bedside, had reportedly fled her home with Donald in Millner in Darwin’s northern suburbs to stay at a domestic violence shelter.

But Tuesday night, after returning to the house with their daughter to retrieve belongings, Donald shot her and then himself, police believe.

Police were called to the home on Sprigg Street in Millner just after 6:30 p.m. Tuesday after a neighbor heard two gunshots.

Ralph Donald (pictured) shot his ex-partner, Irish nurse Eileen Gibbons, then turned the gun on himself and managed to commit suicide

The unnamed neighbor described what happened as an ‘ambush’ and claimed Ms Gibbons was invited back to the house by Donald before he shot his estranged partner. and then himself.

Donald died at the scene from self-inflicted gunshot wounds and a firearm was found next to his body.

News of the tragedy has shocked Castlebar, in the northwest of Ireland, where Ms Gibbons grew up and has four siblings, although the 38-year-old had lived in Darwin for seven years. the Irish examiner reported.

Police confirmed that other members of Donald’s family were present in the house during the shooting, and paramedics stabilized Ms Gibbons at the scene before she was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.

Back in her native Ireland, the ‘destroyed’ town of Castlebar, where her mother, Ann, works in a local retail business, has come together.

Eileen had recently spent a ‘happy’ extended holiday in the city last summer before returning to Australia.

Irish nurse Eileen Gibbons (above) with her infant daughter, who is believed to have been with her when she was ambushed and shot by her ex-partner in a Darwin home

Videos posted online over the past 12 months show Donald playing with the couple’s young child at his parents’ Sprigg St home, where he would later commit suicide.

In the comments section, family members noted that the child “looks like daddy,” but Donald’s family declined to comment when contacted Thursday.

Detective Inspector Paul Morrissey told reporters that the couple had both lived in the house “at different times”.

Neighbor Kim Leonard-Bond said Donald’s brother performed chest compressions on one of the two shots Tuesday evening before paramedics arrived.

Mrs Leonard-Bond said she had known the family since the brothers were boys.

“I just think as a mother…I just think, oh my God, how do you deal with the loss of your child, let alone someone who committed suicide in your house?” she said.

Videos posted online show Donald with his daughter at his family’s home, where the tragedy occurred on Tuesday

Detectives were called to the house in Sprigg St (pictured) at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening

Friends were seen visiting the home Wednesday morning as a man quietly cried in his car just yards from the home.

Detective Morrissey could not confirm whether Donald had a history of domestic violence or whether the woman was in a shelter.

‘It’s worrying for the neighbours. It is of course distressing for family members and friends of the people involved and also a confrontational situation for emergency workers,” he said.

He said the investigation is still in its early stages but does not expect any arrests in the suspected suicide attempt.

“The level of domestic violence in this city is appalling,” said a male neighbor. ‘It comes across differently when it’s on your street.’

In Ireland’s Mayo County, Councilor Martin McLoughlin said the County Council said: ‘The community here has been shocked to its core.

“She comes from a popular family in the town and the entire town of Castlebar has come together in the hope of her full recovery.

‘I know the family well. 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 terribly painful time.”

Darwin detectives interview local residents and look for witnesses. A report is being prepared for the coroner.

For confidential support, call Lifeline 24/7 on 13 11 14 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732