Murder manhunt launched after pensioner shot dead with crossbow bolt while adjusting satellite dish

Gerald Corrigan, 74, showed 'tremendous courage and determination' but died on Saturday, police say

Gerald Corrigan (PA)

A murder probe has been launched after a pensioner who was shot with a crossbow bolt died in hospital.

Gerald Corrigan, 74, was blasted with the weapon outside his home in Holyhead, Anglesey, on 19 April as he adjusted his satellite dish.

He died from what police called “truly horrific injuries” on Saturday.

Detective chief inspector Brian Kearney, of North Wales Police, said the force had “now launched a murder investigation.”

But he added on Sunday: “We continue to keep an open mind in relation to the sequence of events that led to Gerald's death."

Detectives have previously said one line of inquiry is that Mr Corrigan – who was shot at 12.35am – may have been accidentally hit by a so-called lamper, a rogue night-time hunter who uses bright lights to target animals.

The bolt which struck the married father-of-two travelled through a significant part of his upper body, narrowly missing his heart and then passing through his right arm.

After being hit, he managed to stagger inside the property before an ambulance was called.

He was then taken to hospital in Bangor before being moved to the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

DCI Kearney said the pensioner had "shown tremendous courage and determination while being treated".

Mr Corrigan's family issued a statement following what they called a "shocking incident" saying they could not think of anyone who would have wanted to harm him.

Mr Corrigan himself worked as a lecturer in photography and video in Lancashire before retiring to Anglesey more than 20 years ago. He had a keen interest in nature.

Anyone with information relating to the investigation is asked to contact detectives at Llangefni CID on 101.