'Totally shocked at this terrible tragedy': Locals grapple with deaths of three brothers

Gardaí at the scene this evening. Picture: PA

People in the north Cork town of Charleville are grappling with a devastating family tragedy, after the bodies of three brothers were found in two separate locations.

The bodies of nine-year-old twins Thomas and Patrick O'Driscoll were found by their two younger brothers shortly after 5pm at the family home in Deerpark, just outside Charleville on the Limerick side.

The boys ran next door to alert neighbours and gardaí were called. As part of their initial investigations, gardaí found the body of an older brother, Jonathan, in Buttevant 14kms away.

Foul play is not suspected in Jonathan's death. He is thought to have been in his early 20s.

Gardaí outside the family home. Picture: PA

One woman who lives locally in Charleville said she was just coming out of the graveyard at the other end of the town when two gardaí squad cars raced by her.

She asked another woman what had happened, and was told that two of the young O'Driscoll boys were dead.

"We're all just totally shocked," she said. She added she did not know the boys or their parents personally, but said the extended family had been living in Charleville for about 40 years and were liked locally.

The O'Driscolls had moved into the house where Thomas and Patrick's bodies were found, about two years ago, the woman said.

The boys' grandmother still lives in the town.

"It's a terrible tragedy," said anther woman.

"I've just been into the shop and they were very shocked over it," said another man.

Fr Tom Naughton of the Holy Cross Parish in Charleville said: “We prayed together. We comforted them and assured them, especially of the community here in the area, that we were with them.

“It’s clear that anybody who suffers a tragedy is going to be upset and hurt at this time but it is quite raw.”