'Sadness' in Clare as couple whose bodies were found at their home named locally
Gardaí at the scene where two bodies were found at a house in Kilnaboy, Co Clare on Thursday. Picture: Eamon Ward
The couple whose bodies were found at their home on Thursday afternoon in the Burren village of Killinaboy have been named locally as married couple Joe and Claire Collins.
In an investigation update into the deaths of the couple, Supt John Ryan of Ennis Garda Station confirmed that the bodies of the couple were removed from the scene at 11pm last night to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick.
An autopsy is due to be carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster.
On Thursday, it was revealed that the body of a man, aged in his 50s, was found outside the property in Killinaboy two miles north of Corofin, while the body of a woman, also in her 50s, was discovered inside the house.
Two gardaí and a single Garda patrol car with blue lights on was located outside the property preserving the scene on a country road one mile off the main Corofin to Kilfenora road.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 2.30pm on Thursday. On Friday, Supt Ryan said that the autopsies will be done during the day "and that will determine the course of the investigation”.
A team from the Garda Technical Bureau are to continuing their work at the Collins family home today and Supt Ryan said that “once the post mortems are complete, the Garda Technical Burea should be able to complete their side of it”.
Supt Ryan said: "Until the post mortems are complete, we can’t say what happened or what didn’t happen. We don’t know the circumstances other than they are suspicious”.
The first autopsy is due to commence before lunchtime on Friday.
Speaking on Thursday evening, local man and member of Clare Co Council, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) said: "There is a deep sense of bewilderment and sadness in the area at the heartbreaking news."
He added: "There is profound shock in the area that this tragedy has come to our door and to our area."
Cllr Killeen said: "The parish of Corofin and Kilnaboy is a very tight knit community with great camaraderie and great support for families and individuals and the community will come in support of the families of those who have been involved in this tragedy."
The north Clare based Senator Martin Conway (FG) commented: "This is an unspeakable tragedy."
The couple are understood to have two adult children who were not at the property Thursday afternoon.
A statement from gardaí stated they are investigating all the circumstances in connection to the discovery.
A family liaison officer has been appointed to the family of the deceased, and a senior investigating officer has set up an incident room at Ennis Garda Station.
Gardaí in Co Clare are appealing to anyone who may have information to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
