Community in shock as three die in suspected murder-suicide in Co Kerry

Gardaí have begun an investigation into what they believe is a double homicide and suicide following the discovery of the bodies of three members of one family in north Kerry on Tuesday night.

The body of a woman was found in a house at Ballyreehan, Lixnaw, on Tuesday evening when a neighbour called shortly after 9pm.

They raised the alarm, and gardaí discovered the body of the woman’s son, aged 23, also in the house. Both had been shot.

Gardaí began a search and found the body of the woman’s partner in a field, where they also found a shotgun. It is believed the man shot the woman and her son before taking his own life, but gardaí stress their investigation is still at a very early stage.

The couple were in their early 60s.

Gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

The scene is preserved and investigations are ongoing.

The State Pathologist as well as Garda technical personnel are on their way to the scene which has been preserved overnight.

The parish priest of Lixnaw, Co Kerry, said the same “numbness” he experienced last night will be felt by the whole community waking up to the news of the deaths of three members of one household.

Fr Anthony O’Sullivan attended the scene at the bungalow in Ballyreehan where the bodies of the woman and her son were found. The townland is midway between Lixnaw and Kilflynn villages, around half way between Tralee and Listowel.

Fr O’Sullivan said he visited the scene at 11.15pm and administered the last rites and prayers for the dead.

“There is a feeling of numbness in myself. The community will be in the same frame of numbness. We are all in a sense of shock.”

Prayers will be said for the deceased and for their relatives and neighbours at 10am mass at St Michael’s Church, he said.

Fr O’Sullivan, who has been in Lixnaw for only two years, said he had met one member of the family briefly. Covid restrictions had meant that there was not much interaction, but he said it was a very caring parish.

Acting Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys decscribed the incident as “truly awful tragedy”.

She tweeted: “The shock and devastation being felt by the family and the community is unimaginable. An Garda Síochána is engaging with the local community and will carry out a full investigation.”

If you are affected by any issue in this article, please contact Pieta House on 1800 247 247 or the Samaritans by telephoning 116 123 (free) or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie

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