No warning signs that tragedy was about to hit family

Brandon Skeffington, who was murdered in the family home on Sunday, and his older brother Shane, who died by suicide.

Gardaí say there were “no warning signs” within a rural Sligo family that might have flagged the murder of a 9-year-old boy and the later suicide of his 20-year-old brother.

Brandon Skeffington was found with stab wounds at the family home in Tourlestrane, near Tubbercurry, on Sunday, while the body of his older brother Shane was discovered in a shed at the back of the house.

Their parents, Shane and Carmel, made the discovery after they returned home on Sunday evening having been shopping with their three-year-old son.

It is understood that another child — 15-year-old daughter Sharon — had been in the home at the time of the stabbing but was unaware of what had happened.

Detectives are examining the hours during which the parents left the home in a bid to unravel what happened and determine, if possible, what could have led to such a violent tragedy. A child interview specialist may be brought in to help.