Couple found dead in Carlow house

A shotgun has been discovered at the scene of two suspicious deaths at a B&B in Carlow today.

It is understood the man and woman in their 50s suffered gunshot wounds and one line of inquiry is that they died in a suspected murder-suicide.

The pair were last seen at around 10pm last night and may have been drinking in a pub opposite their lodgings on Centaur Street in Carlow town.

They were discovered at about 1.30pm today, gardai said.

The bodies remain at the scene, which has been preserved for a full examination by Garda forensic experts.

Full post mortem examinations are also expected to take place tomorrow morning at Naas General Hospital in Co Kildare.

The Garda Technical Bureau and Dr Michael Curtis of the State Pathologist Office have attended the scene.

Investigating detectives have issued an appeal to anyone who was in the area of Centaur Street between 10pm last night and 1pm today and who may have seen anything unusual to contact them.

It is understood both victims were Irish but detectives are trying to determine exactly where they came from.

Father John Dunphy, a parish priest in Graiguecullen, Carlow, said locals were sure the pair were from out of town as their identities had not become clear during the day.

“Everyone seems to be lost as to what has happened,” he said.

“No one seems to know who they are. If they were locals I’d say the names would have got out by now.”

Fr Dunphy said Carlow was stunned by the tragedy.

“There’s a sense a shock,” he said. “Again it is like one of those things that happens in other places, not in your own community.”