Sisters found dead in Cork house; man dies in nearby crash

Two young sisters were found dead in a house in east Cork this morning, while a man was also found dead nearby after a road crash.

The girls, who were both under the age of 10, were found in a house in the Ballycotton area at around 10.30am by a family friend.

The friend then contacted gardaí to raise the alarm.

The office of the state pathologist was contacted this morning by gardaí after a doctor pronounced the children dead at the scene.

The assistant state pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, was due at the scene to carry out preliminary examinations. It is expected the bodies will be removed to Cork University Hospital later today.

Gardaí would not reveal this morning where in the house the little girls’ bodies were discovered. Family members were being contacted this morning.

Meanwhile, a man in his 40s was killed when his car collided with a ditch on the road between Ballycotton and Shanagarry at 9.45am. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reports said the man was believed to have been the father of the dead girls.

Two units of the county fire service attended the scene of the collision.

Officers in Midleton were investigating both incidents this morning.

More details on this story available in today's Evening Echo newspaper