Suicide pact suspected in house fire deaths

John Breslin

Gardaí are waiting for a final pathology report before confirming the couple suffered gunshot wounds.

Named locally as Frank and Celia Bailey, their bodies were discovered in their house in Achonry, Co Sligo, eight days ago. Gardaí are investigating whether the couple, in their 50s and originally from England, agreed a suicide pact and started the fire before carrying it out.

Each is understood to have a suffered a gunshot wound to the head, there was no evidence of a break in and gardaí are not at this stage looking for a third party.

Garda spokesman said: “The deaths are under investigation and we cannot confirm whether they received gunshot wounds. We have not yet received a final report from the State Pathologist.”

The couple have not yet been formally identified as Dr Marie Cassidy is to study dental records received from England. She has already carried out post mortems on the bodies, first at Manorhamilton Hospital, Co Leitrim, then at the City Morgue in Dublin.

The house was destroyed early last Wednesday morning. Fire crews were alerted shortly after midnight.

When they arrived, the cottage was already completely engulfed in flames. This suggests the fire had been burning for some time before the alarm was raised.

The couple were found in the bedroom of the house, which was also where the fire started.

Mr and Mrs Bailey had been living in the area for almost a year and were popular locally, according to local priest, Fr James McDonagh.

“I met them on a number of occasions and they were a very nice, pleasant couple. They had done a lot of work on the house and it looked lovely.

“Locals were waking up to the terrible news and obviously they were shocked to learn of such a dreadful tragedy.”