Garda search for motive in suspected Kerry murder-suicide

Gardaí do not have a motive and don’t know what may have led to the deaths of three people from a family in north Kerry whose bodies were discovered on Tuesday.

Gardaí will conduct door-to-door inquiries and call to nearby houses in an attempt to ascertain what might have led to the deaths of all members of one family. Outside the small Lixnaw Garda station senior officer in the Listowel district Supt Paul Kennedy detailed how at 8.30pm on Tuesday night officers in Listowel received a call from a member of the public, a neighbour, concerned for the family.

Gardaí responded immediately, but when they arrived at the house they found the body of a woman and a 24-year-old man inside. They also discovered the body of a man at a boundary to the rear of the house. All three had suffered gunshot wounds. A firearm was also recovered from the rear of the premises. Supt Kennedy said gardaí are not looking for anyone else but are appealing for information “regardless how insignificant”.

He stressed that investigating gardaí are keeping an open mind “and examining everything” when asked about reports the man â€" in his sixties â€" had been selling his sheep in recent weeks. He was unaware of such a disposal, he said.

‘Well regarded’

Forensic examination is ongoing to determine time of death. Neighbours will also be asked if they heard gunshots. The family was characterised by locals as “well regarded . . . very well respected”, who had not come to Garda attention previously, neither had there been any calls expressing concern .

The bodies have been removed to University Hospital Kerry in Tralee for postmortem by State Pathologist Margot Bolster. They have been named officially as: Eileen Kennedy, also known as Eily, aged 56; her partner Maurice (Mossie), aged 63; and the couple’s son Jamie, aged 24.

The firearm had been legally held at the premises, but gardaí were not revealing what type of firearm. A family liaison officer has been appointed to deal with the families. There was no knowledge anyone had contacted gardaí in relation to the family in days preceding the deaths.

“These were a very decent well respected family who were not previously known to us and were well regarded in the community,” said Supt Kennedy.

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