More details have emerged today about the tragic incidents in Mayo.
Post mortem results are expected to find that he elderly couple died as a result of a murder and suicide.
Tom Fitzgerald, who was in his 70s was found outside the family home while the body of his wife Kitty was found inside.
The couple’s son Paul suffered severe injuries and currently remains at Beaumont Hospital for treatment.
Head of the Mayo Garda Division, Chief Supt Pat Diskin said that while the officers are keeping an “open mind” on the deaths, he believes the post mortem “will give us a clearer indication of what happened”.
He stated yesterday:
“From a local community point of view I am satisfied that the answer to our inquiries lies within the location of the incident.”
The bodies of the deceased where discovered after an alarm was raised by a family acquaintance at approximately 3pm on Tuesday afternoon.
The couple’s bungalow is located in a secluded area about a mile from Irishtown village.
According to reports, the couple were considered “community stalwarts” and good neighbours.
Local man, Joe Reapy, spoke to
The Independent.
"Tom had a great spirit when it came to community matters. If anything was going on Tom was sure to have a hand in it.”
"It's shocking hard to believe this lovely couple are gone," he said.
Parish Priest, Fr Martin O’Connor said:
"It is the biggest tragedy to have hit the area.”
"Tom was a eucharistic minister for years. He was very heavily involved in the community with Foróige and the football club.” “Anything that was for the betterment of the community Tom was all for it.”
"Both of them were lovely people to meet. You always felt better for it if you had a conversation with them."
