Thirty-one-year-old postmaster Alan Cunniffe was shot in the stomach while chasing a man who had just robbed the post office where he worked.

The dead man had only taken up the job at the post office two days previously. The premises are located at John's Green, beside a Centra convenience shop which is owned by the dead man's family.

The fatal shooting brings to 21 the number of gun homicides in the state this year . . . the highest recorded figure to date for any year.

Tanaiste and minister for justice Michael McDowell said the killing was a "cowardly, senseless slaying of a decent young man". A spokesman for An Post said the organisation was "shocked and horrified by the savagery" of the shooting.

The incident occurred at 1pm on Friday when an armed man wearing a balaclava entered the post office and demanded money from two female staff. He left the premises with approximately 5,000. Alan Cunniffe was in the adjoining Centra shop when he heard the commotion caused by the raider. Cunniffe chased the man but as he caught up to the raider, a single shot was discharged by the armed man, hitting the postmaster in the stomach.

He was rushed to St Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny, where he later died. A man was subsequently arrested after a garda gave chase.