Pictured: Father and two sons found dead in ‘murder-suicide’ at farmhouse
A father and two sons found dead in a suspected murder-suicide at a family farm in Ireland have been named.
The body of a man in his 20s was found in a bedroom of a property in Assolas, Kanturk, in north-east Co Cork at around 1pm on Monday.
Around 40 minutes later the bodies of two other men, one in his 20s and another in his 50s, were also discovered on adjoining land.
The men have been named locally as brothers Diarmuid and Mark O’Sullivan and father Tadgh.
Garda Superintendent Adrian Gamble confirmed all three were from one family, and all had suffered gunshot wounds. He said gardai had been alerted to a ‘critical firearms incident’ at around 6.30am on Monday.
He added: ‘A short time earlier, a female in her 60s alerted neighbours that a firearm had been discharged at her home.
‘Gardai were then informed that three males were present in the house, and that one may have suffered gunshot wounds.
‘Throughout the course of the morning and early afternoon, Garda negotiators attempted to make contact with people that may have been in the house.
‘Shortly after 1pm, members of the emergency response unit approached the house and sadly, the body of a male in his 20s, with a gunshot wound was discovered in a bedroom. No other people were present.’
The two other bodies were later found on adjoining land.
Mr Gamble said a number of firearms were found at the scene and seized.
He added: ‘Preliminary indications show that both men had suffered tragic gunshot wounds. I confirm that all three deceased men were from the one family.’
Gardai indicated on Monday that they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
Local representatives said the tragedy had left the community ‘numb’.
Fianna Fail councillor Pat Hayes said: ‘It’s a tragedy for the family. Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers go out to them at this very difficult time.
‘It has come as a real shock to the community. We’re a very close knit community here and to be honest with you, every one is just numb.’
Fine Gael councillor John Paul O’Shea said: ‘Everyone is deeply saddened and shocked by this tragedy.
‘My thoughts go out to the family and the wider community of Castlemagner and Kanturk as they come to terms with this unimaginable loss.
‘There is a strong and determined community spirit in Castlemagner and the community there I know will rally around their families, neighbours and friends in the coming days as they deal with this tragic loss.’
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