Garda investigation as man and woman found dead at Bray house named locally

A private ambulance at the scene at a house on Old Connaught Avenue in Bray, Co Dublin, after the discovery of the bodies of a man in his 30s and a woman, Biddy O'Brien (inset) who was in her 40s. Picture: PA

A man and woman found dead at a house in Bray have been named locally as Biddy O’Brien and Jamie McGinn.

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths after the bodies were discovered at a property in Cois Cairn, on Old Connaught Avenue, just over the Dublin border from Co Wicklow, shortly before 8am on Wednesday.

Mr McGinn, who was in his 30s, was found outside the house, while Ms O’Brien, who was in her 40s, was discovered inside the property.

The scene remains sealed off for a technical examination, and the State Pathologist has been notified.

Gardaí have said the results of autopsy examinations will help determine the course of the investigation.

The bodies were removed in the back of two ambulance vans, shortly after 3pm, to the cty morgue at Whitehall for a post-mortem examination to take place.

State Pathologist, Dr Sally Anne Collis will perform the postmortem examination, over the course of Wednesday evening and Thursday.

Gardai attend the scene at a house on Old Connaught Avenue in Bray, Co Dublin, after the discovery of the bodies of a man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s, shortly after 8am. Picture: Michael O'Scannail/Press Association

Family devastated by 2017 fire tragedy

The deaths come almost a decade after the family suffered a devastating tragedy in a fire in Clondalkin, west Dublin, which claimed the lives of four people, including two young children.

In the early hours of March 8, 2017, a fire broke out at an apartment in a supported accommodation complex operated by Sonas Housing.

The fire claimed the lives of Biddy O’Brien’s two young children, Jordan McGinn, aged four, and Holly O’Brien, who was 22 months old.

Also killed were Biddy’s cousin Annemarie O’Brien, 27, who was pregnant, and Annemarie’s two-year-old daughter, Paris. Annemarie’s unborn son, who had been named AJ, also died.

Biddy was the sole survivor of the fire, suffering serious burns that required extensive hospital treatment.

Gardai attend the scene at a house on Old Connaught Avenue in Bray, Co Dublin, after the discovery of the bodies of a man in his 30s and a woman in her 40s, shortly after 8am. Picture: Michael O'Scannail/Press Association

An inquest into the deaths, held in 2018, heard that the fire was probably caused by a tea light or candle setting a television alight. The coroner recorded verdicts of accidental death.

The children and their relatives were buried following funerals attended by hundreds of mourners in Shankill, Co Dublin, with burial taking place at Springfield Cemetery in Bray.

Shock in local community

The discovery of the two bodies on Wednesday has prompted shock and sadness in the local community.

Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow John Brady said there was a profound sense of disbelief following the discovery, describing the situation as devastating for the area.

He said those involved were well known locally and that the community was closely connected, with extended family members also living in the area.

Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths to contact Shankill Garda Station.

The investigation is ongoing.