By Eoin English

Gardaí are investigating a fatal shooting in Cork city.

A man in his early 40s died after he received gunshot wounds in an incident in a house in the Ballyphehane area of the city this afternoon.

The alarm was raised around 4.30pm. It is understood a shotgun was discharged in the house on Plunkett Road in Ballyphehane, and that the man lived in the house.

There were only two people in the house at the time.

It is believed that gardaí are investigating whether the firearm, which is understood to have been licenced, was discharged accidentally.

The scene has been cordoned off and gardaí are at the scene conducting a forensic examination.

The body remains at the scene.