Gardai defend actions in lead-up to father-daughter deaths

Gardai investigating the tragic deaths of six-year-old Deirdre Crowley and her father Christopher have said they did not know they were in the house when they first called.

It is understood gardai talked to Mr Crowley, but then left the scene minutes before the 37-year-old shot his daughter, before turning the gun on himself.

Chief Superintendent Pat O'Boyle from Thurles Garda Station said it was initially a case of establishing if there was anyone in the house.

He said the closest neighbours to the house had no idea whether anybody was living in it or not, which he said showed how well people can conceal themselves from the community.