A male garda and a second man were shot dead this evening after gardaí responded to what is thought to have been a domestic dispute in Co Louth.

Gardaí are treating the incident as murder suicide.

The shootings took place shortly after 6pm at a house on the Cooley Peninsula near Carlingford.

Members from Omeath Garda Station responded to a call from a woman and arrived at the scene, shots were fired and a garda was fatally injured.

A second man in his 20s, known to gardaí, was also shot dead during the incident. A woman in the house at the time was shot and taken to hospital where her condition is described as serious.

The scene of tonight's shooting in Omeath, Co Louth pic.twitter.com/eC3M87QeQm — Sinéad Hussey (@SineadHus) October 11, 2015

The scene is to be preserved overnight for forensic examination and the arrival of a state pathologist.

The garda shot dead was a man in his 30s, father to three children, all under the age of eight.

Thoughts are with our Garda colleagues following the tragic events in Omeath this evening. PSNI will lend any assistance or support required — PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) October 11, 2015

Thoughts are with our Garda colleagues tonight. An Officer paying the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. — George Hamilton (@ChiefConPSNI) October 11, 2015

In a statement this evening Garda Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan described the incident as a "terrible tragedy".

She also said the fatal shooting highlights the dangers the gardaí face during the course of their duty and that they put themselves in harm's way every day in the interest of serving the community.

The shooting happened only a few miles from the scene in which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was fatally shot on 25 January 2013.

In a statement President of the Garda Representative Association, Dermot O'Brien, said the organisation is shocked and saddened by the fatal shooting of a colleague.

"At this time of distress, the garda family will be doing everything possible to support the late garda's relatives and loved ones, friends and colleagues" he said.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors also offered condolences to the family of the deceased garda.

Deputy General Secretary of the AGSI, John Jacob, described this evening's events as "the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty."

"We are reminded that our colleague left his home today to do his job. There are no words tonight to describe the loss felt among the Garda family" he said.

President Michael D Higgins this evening contacted the Garda Commissioner to offer his condolences "on the terrible loss."

He described the incident as "most serious and tragic" and expressed his deepest sympathy to the relatives and friends of the deceased garda. He said his thoughts are also with all others affected by tonight's event.

In a statement Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, said she is appalled by the loss of life in Omeath this evening.

"The fact that a Garda has laid down his life while protecting the community is a cause of great sadness. His death will be mourned by the entire nation, grateful for the service which he gave to it" she said.

Archbishop Eamon Martin released a statement this evening saying "I ask for prayers for the recovery of the injured woman and for the families, friends and neighbours of those who have lost their lives. I encourage anyone who has information that can help the Gardaí with their investigation to come forward."

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Fergus O'Dowd, described news of the shooting as devastating and said his heart and prayers go out to the family and friends concerned.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins said in a statement "Our thoughts are with all members of An Garda Siochána, our Fire and Ambulance personnel and the families of all those affected at this time."

Sinn Féin Leader and Louth TD Gerry Adams also extended his sympathies to the families of those who have died.