Andrew Carey
THE WIDER community of Charleville, Buttevant and along the north Cork border with Limerick is in a state of shock and disbelief this Friday morning as the State pathologist carries out the postmortem examinations of two twin brothers who were found dead at their home in Deerpark on Thursday evening.
The twin brothers, 9-year-olds Tom and Paddy O’Driscoll were found stabbed to death at their home. Just over one hour later, their older brother Jonathan, aged in his early 20s and who had been minding them earlier, was found dead in the ruins of a castle at Buttevant in North Cork.
Gardai have launched an investigation into the deaths that appear to be linked.
The parents of the three dead brothers, Tom and Helen O’Driscoll had been in the Kilmallock area earlier in the day when younger siblings made the grim discovery shortly after 5pm.
When the alarm was raised, gardai wanted to speak with Jonathon as he had been seen leaving the house.
Shortly before 6.30pm, Jonathon’s body was found 15km away in Buttevant near a river bank and castle ruins.
The bodies of the younger boys, who were pupils at Banogue National School, just over the border in county Limerick. remained at the scene, which was preserved for Deputy State pathologist Michael Curtis. The results of postmortems and technical examinations will form the thrust of the investigation.
The garda investigation is understood to be focusing on the lead up to the deaths in what they believe to have the hallmarks of a murder suicide case.
Two knives were recovered from the river near where the body of Jonathan O’Driscoll was found and they are to be technically and forensically examined.
Fr Tom Naughton led a prayer vigil for family and friends that gathered outside the house and afterwards said that it was a difficult thing to see and that shock was best word to use.
“My role was to bring comfort and consolation. They’re strong people of deep faith which will stand to them in the hours, days and weeks ahead.
“It’s the most unnatural thing in the world to see a child dead. To see your own child dead is just unimaginable.
“The wider community of Charleville, which is a close-knit and caring community , they are shocked.
“People have called me and asked me to convey to the family the support and prayers of the community.
Fr Naughton spoke of the family who had moved in a number of years ago and well regarded amongst their neighbours.
“I was visting their house not too long ago and they are very welcoming people. It’s so tragic. It’s very difficult for myself as a priest to get my head around. This morning in school, kids will have the possibility of counselling.
“The most important thing with children and with everybody this morning is to have family who love them close to them, that will explain to them that unfortunately we don’t know the depths of the human mind.”
Residents in the area and from Charleville said they were shocked and saddened.
One woman, a mother of two said; “I can’t believe it”, I was just coming out of the shop when I heard the sirens and saw all the commotion – It wasn’t long before we all knew that two of the little boys were dead. Then we heard of the third boy. I just can’t get that out of my head. It’s unnatural. There are two little boys dead at their home and another brother dead not far away. That family must be in so much pain. My sympathies are not enough but maybe our prayers will help.
Echoing the chock of the local community, the management, staff and pupils of Banogue National School, Croom, Co Limerick said that they are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely deaths of the two young brothers in the school.
The third class pupils were described as loving and energetic.
“This is a terrible tragedy for the family, the school and the whole community. We are deeply saddened by this event,” said principal teacher Sheila Cagney
“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.
She said the focus of the staff at this time was on the pupils in the school who are trying to come to terms with the loss of young friends.
“We will help the children to the best of our ability,” said Ms Cagney.
“We are receiving support from the National Education Psychological Service who will be at the school today to support staff on dealing with the tragedy.”
