Bodies of mother and daughter found in house

A community on the outskirts of Belfast was in a state of shock after the discovery of the bodies of a woman and her daughter in their home.

The bodies of Madeleine O’Neill and her daughter Laura were found by a friend at their bungalow in the Manse Road in Carryduff before midnight on Tuesday.

Police have cordoned off the home.

Detectives in Castlereagh said the investigation was still at an early stage.

It is understood Mrs O’Neill was in her forties.

Local parish priest Fr Brian Waters described the deaths as a “terrible tragedy”.

“Her family are distressed,” he said. “My concerns are with the family and looking after their pastoral concerns at the moment.”