Gunfight suspected in tragic land dispute
Gardaí suspect that Michael Jordan, 51, went to the home of his brother-in-law George Rothwell, 71, in the early hours of yesterday armed with a shotgun.
Gardaí believe Mr Jordan shot Mr Rothwell dead, and are investigating the possibility both of them may have been armed. A shotgun was found underneath Mr Rothwell’s body. He lived on his own and was due to turn 72 next week.
Mr Jordan set three of the farm outbuildings on fire, then returned to his farm and took his own life in a barn.
It is understood Mr Jordan’s wife, Hilda, awoke during the night after she noticed her husband was missing.
It is thought that when she went to her brother’s house to see if her husband was there, she found Mr Rothwell’s body.
The fire brigade had been alerted by a male caller at about 3.20am and arrived at Ballycormick House, two miles outside Bagenalstown, a short time afterwards.
Chief fire officer for Carlow, Gerard Guerin, said it took 22 firefighters almost four hours to put the fires out.
Mr Rothwell’s body was found in the house at about 7am. Two hours later, a neighbour found Mr Jordan’s body in a barn on his farm.
Gardaí were last night waiting to speak to Hilda Jordan, who has been left traumatised by the death of her husband and her brother.
Family friends and local residents were shocked by the double tragedy.
“I knew them all, George and Hilda Rothwell and Michael Jordan,” said a friend to both families. “They were born and reared there, near enough neighbours.”
He described both men as “very decent” and said Mr Rothwell was a “bit of a character” who used to be a saxophone player in the Roulette showband.
“They were ordinary people. No one knows what went wrong. Something obviously did go wrong.
“There was some talk locally that there might have been a dispute over land, but no one thought this would happen.”
The Rothwell family has lived for generations in the house, which is a protected building dating from 1830.
Church of Ireland clergyman Tom Gordan said: “This is a very close-knit community. It’s a very tragic event. People are finding it difficult to take on board.”
Local councillor Arthur McDonald said: “It’s a huge tragedy. It is being taken very, very badly by all the people, friends and neighbours. I’m very sorry for both families.”
IFA leader John Bryan said both men were members of the association and award-winning farmers. “Neighbours and the wider farming community are shocked at the news of this terrible tragedy.”
