Man shoots himself dead in toilet of city centre pub

AN elderly man has died after shooting himself with a revolver in a landmark Dublin pub.

The man, who was aged in his 70s, was found dead at 11am yesterday in the basement toilets of the Palace Bar on Fleet Street.

It is understood that the deceased, who was from the Santry area of north Dublin, entered the bar shortly before 11am and ordered a whiskey.

He then descended to the bar's basement toilets, where he shot himself. His body was discovered by a barman.

It is understood the man used a silver Smith & Wesson revolver.

Staff members said they heard a crash and thought something had fallen off the wall in the bathroom.

Workers in businesses on Fleet Street said they were "shocked and saddened" to hear of the man's death.

The bar was sealed off yesterday pending a garda investigation.