Three brothers removed from scenes of Charleville deaths

Post mortem examinations are taking place on the bodies of the three O'Driscoll brothers who died in Co Cork yesterday.

The remains of nine-year-old twins Thomas and Patrick were taken from their home during highly emotional scenes in Charleville this afternoon.

Distraught parents Thomas senior and Helen were overcome with emotion as black hearses carrying the twins pulled out from the side of the house on to the main road to Cork.

In tears the couple pressed against the windows of the cars as they edged away.

The boys were discovered at their home in Deerpark, off the main Cork-Limerick road, yesterday afternoon.

The body of their 21-year-old brother Jonathon was discovered in a woodland in Buttevant shortly after the bodies of his brothers were found. His post mortem examination appeared to show death by suicide. Gardaí are not searching for any other person in connection with the deaths.

The Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis, began the post mortem examinations at Cork University Hospital earlier today. It is believed the twins died of stab wounds.

[comment] Patrick and Thomas O'Driscoll, the twins found dead at their home in Charleville.[/comment]

Gardaí, who are treating the case as a murder suicide, discovered two knives in a river in Buttevant. Forensic gardaí also conducted a technical examination at the house.

Banogue National School in Croom, Co Limerick, said staff and pupils there are "deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely deaths of two young brothers in the school".

[comment] Jonathan, the older brother, was found dead in the woodland nearby.[/comment]

Thomas and Patrick were in third class in the school and were nine years of age.

Principal teacher at the school, Sheila Cagney, said: "This is a terrible tragedy for the family, the school and the whole community. We are deeply saddened by this event. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the family and friends at this terrible time."

Ms Cagney described both boys as "loving, energetic and full of fun". The boys had been pupils in the school for just over a year.

It is believed the parents had been out purchasing a gift for the boys when the tragedy happened.

It is understood the O’Driscolls were settled members of the travelling community and had adopted children and had been living in the Charleville area for many years.