Brothers-in-law to be laid to rest

The funerals of brothers-in-law George Rothwell and Michael Jordan will take place today following moving scenes last night.

Family, friends and neighbours gathered at Somers funeral home in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, where both men were reposed together.

Hilda Jordan, sister of George and husband to Michael, was comforted by her husband’s siblings, her cousins and close friends.

Mr Jordan’s requiem mass will be held first, at St Andrew’s Church in the town at 11am, followed by Mr Rothwell’s funeral service at Lorum Church at 2.30pm.

The community in Ballycormick, 6km outside Bagenalstown, is in shock after last Wednesday’s murder-suicide.

Early that morning, Mr Jordan went to Mr Rothwell’s farm, armed with a shotgun. After he killed him, he returned home and took his own life.

Mr Jordan had set fire to three of Mr Rothwell’s sheds, which fire-fighters spent four hours trying to bring under control.

Mr Rothwell had been shot four times. His own shotgun was found underneath him. Gardaí are investigating whether there was an exchange of fire.

Gardaí believe Mr Jordan fired three shots through a kitchen window. Mr Jordan is then thought to have entered the house and shot him at close range.

Gardaí are investigating whether a land dispute between the two men may have been behind the murder. The 250-acre Rothwell estate had been left to both George and Hilda by their father Fred.