Gardaí visit locals to assure them no third party involved in horror case

Gardaí have taken the unusual step of visiting homes in the Irishtown area of South Mayo to reassure shocked locals that no third party was involved in the horrific deaths of an elderly couple and the serious assault on their son last week.

Investigations suggest 75-year-old Tom Fitzgerald, of Knockadoon, Irishtown, murdered his wife Kitty, 72, and attempted to kill his son Paul, 37, before taking his own life.

Chief Supt Pat Diskin said gardaí had visited a number of houses as part of their door-to-door inquiries, but he believed it was important to go a step further and meet the residents in person. “I was anxious myself to meet some of the local people and reassure them we are in control of the situation and we’re satisfied that there is no outside involvement,” he said.