Post-mortems to be carried out on Donegal father and son
Scene of double tragedy on outskirts of Letterkenny. Picture: North West Newspix
Post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out on the bodies of a father and son who were discovered at a house in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on Thursday afternoon.
Damien Duffy is understood to have killed his father Daniel, 88, before taking his own life, at their bungalow at Windyhall on the outskirts of the town.
Mr Duffy Snr was found inside the house while it is believed his son, aged 50, was found in a car at the rear of the property.
It is understood a neighbour who called to the house around 2pm on Thursday made the discovery.
Gardai immediately sealed off the area.
The mayor of Letterkenny has described the deaths as “an awful tragedy”.
Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh told Newstalk Breakfast that the community was totally shocked and saddened by the deaths, coming so close to Christmas, a family time.
Both of the men were gentlemen, who were well-liked and respected and “got on with everyone” he said.
“Something went tragically wrong.” Cllr Kavanagh said he could only imagine the grief and despair of the rest of the family.
“All we can do now as a community is to reach out and make ourselves available to help people come through this awful tragedy.”
Gardaí say they are not looking for anyone at present, but they have appealed for anyone with information or anyone who may have seen either of the men in the past week to contact them on 074 916 7100.
The double-death has sent shockwaves through the local community where the family were well-known.
Both men were described as "extremely intelligent and engaging" by neighbours.
Mr Duffy Snr was head of the ESB in Letterkenny for a number of years. Damien also worked with the ESB for a number of years before leaving.
Damien was regarded as a computer genius and often worked in a self-contained flat at the back of the pebble-dashed bungalow.
It is believed that Mr Duffy Snr had not been seen since a week or so ago. Gardaí are now trying to determine when he actually died.
Neighbours of the men said they were both "witty and engaging" and that Daniel simply "idolised" his son Damien.
Damien recently graduated with first class honours in Computing and had planned to do Masters next year.
Both were huge Manchester United fans and were both season ticket holders often going to matches at Old Trafford.
They also loved snooker and were very creative, often working on building projects together.
Daniel's wife and Damien's mother, Christine passed away in 2009 and the two men lived in the house together.
The family suffered another tragedy two years ago when Mr Duffy's daughter Caroline (Callaghan) passed away from cancer aged just 48 years.
Another daughter lives nearby in Killylastin.
A neighbour and lifelong friend said: "Daniel and Damien were two of the finest people, hard working, highly intelligent, creative and very entertaining. This is incomprehensible. I am devastated and will miss them terribly."
Locals passing the family home blessed themselves as they slowed down as a mark of respect to the tragic family.
A number stopped in a bid to catch the family's pet dog which ran down the road from the scene of the tragedy.
A Christmas wreath hung from the front door of the bungalow while a Christmas tree stood in the garage window at the rear of the house.
Two large satelite dishes were erected onto the garage which were believed to be part of Mr Duffy Junior's work with technology.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
