Such tragedies are difficult to predict

Murder-suicides are relatively rare but can be as difficult to predict as suicides, meaning intervention is difficult.

Experts said the impact of murder suicides on a community can be devastating, while a report published last year outlines how most cases involve members of the same family.

Research conducted by Institute of Technology Sligo student Ciara Byrne for a BSc in forensic analysis and investigation showed that murder suicides had resulted in the deaths of 46 people in the past 12 years.