Letter told of West Cork man’s anguish

A long letter found in his family home is understood to have outlined the extreme anguish Martin McCarthy was experiencing in the hours before he ended both his own life and that of his daughter.

In the note, believed to stretch to four or five pages, the 50 year-old West Cork farmer reportedly set out the exact way he planned to carry out the tragic actions which have left the country in shock.

Sources say the letter gave an insight into Mr McCarthy’s anger at the course his life had taken, his devastation that his marriage appeared to be ending, and how “threatened” he felt about his future.

Tragedy in Ballydehob is breaking my heart! Tears rolling down my face. We need 2look after each other people, it's tough times for many

— Helena Farrell (@HelenaFarrell77) March 6, 2013

It is believed he made no apology for the tragic events which were about to unfold. Rather, the note outlines how he would be “justified” as he had no other course of action.

The letter, which was discovered late on Tuesday by his wife, led to the gardaí being tasked to the family farmhouse at Audley Cove in Ballydehob.

Heart going out to friends in Ballydehob.

— Dan O'Mahony ([e-mail]) (@dan0mah) March 6, 2013

Later, gardaí alerted other emergency services who discovered the bodies in the sea nearby.

Close friends have said Mr McCarthy was agitated earlier in the week and admitted to being troubled with a personal issue but did not divulge any details.

Yesterday, local priest Fr Joseph Spillane asked the parish to remember Martin and Clarissa in their prayers and also asked parishioners to “give forgiveness where forgiveness is due”.

Today, father and daughter will be buried in Schull cemetery following Requiem Mass at St Mary’s Church.