A father and two sons died in a suspected murder-suicide at their remote farmhouse yesterday.
Tadgh O’Sullivan, 59, and his sons Mark, 26, and 23-year-old Diarmuid were all found with gunshots wounds at their home near Kanturk in Cork.
Armed gardai had surrounded their house after being alerted to a possible hostage situation shortly after 6.30am.
Diarmuid and Mark’s devastated mother had raised the alarm after fleeing from the property when the shooting began.
Gardai refused to confirm reports that a family row – possibly sparked by an inheritance dispute – had escalated into tragedy.
The horror began to unfold shortly after dawn at the 150-acre farm at Assolas, a few kilometres outside Kanturk.
Mrs O’Sullivan bravely ran for help to nearby neighbours when one of her sons was shot inside the farmhouse.
It’s understood she fled in such a hurry she had no mobile phone to contact gardai.
Within minutes, a major Garda operation swung into action.
A ring of steel was thrown around the property and a media blackout was ordered amid fears of an unfolding armed siege.
The Garda helicopter was deployed and a medical team from the HSE, which included two doctors and two paramedics, was also airlifted to the scene by the Irish Coast Guard helicopter based in Dublin, Rescue 116.
It put down on the Castlemagner GAA field which was used as an
operations base from where armed gardai response units also landed.
A Garda negotiator was put on standby.
The response team was informed there were two legally-held shotguns and a rifle in the house.
A spokesman said: “The scene of the incident, a family home, was contained by local uniform and plain clothes gardai supported by Armed Support Unit.
“An Operational Commander was assigned to control the incident supported by Emergency Response Unit, Armed Support Unit, National Negotiator Unit, Technical Support Unit (Garda Headquarters), Southern Region Dog Unit and
Air Support Unit.
“Throughout the morning, Garda negotiators attempted to make contact with any persons in the house. After 1pm members of the Emergency Response Unit approached the property and the body of a male in his 20s with gunshot wound was discovered in a bedroom of the house. No other persons were present.
“The Garda Air Support Unit helicopter commenced an aerial search of the adjoining lands.
“At approximately 1.40pm two further bodies, a male in his late 50s and a male in his 20s were discovered in adjoining lands.
“Preliminary indications indicate both bodies have gunshot wounds.”
Two shotguns and a rifle were found at the scene.
Gardai were appealing for information on what sparked the tragedy last night.
A spokesman said detectives were not looking for any third party and it is understood it is being treated as a murder-suicide.
It was reported one of the sons and his mother returned to the family home after some time away on Sunday night and he may have been the victim shot in his bedroom.
Last night locals were numbed by the tragedy and rallying around Mrs O’Sullivan.
One man told reporters: “I can’t believe it. I saw all the gardai around the place and the helicopters flying overhead but no one knew what was happening.
“The entire village is shocked that lives were lost.”
Supt Adrian Gamble said: “An Garda Siochana is conducting a criminal investigation into tragic incidents that occurred today in a small rural area in North Cork. I confirm that all three deceased men were from the one family.
“Both locations have been sealed off and a full criminal investigation is under way led by a senior investigating officer.
“The State pathologist is currently at scene and arrangements are in place for postmortem examinations to take place later.
“A family liason officer has been appointed by An Garda Siochana and the family have requested strict privacy at this very tragic time.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal for witnesses to come forward and contact Mallow Garda station on 022 314 50, the confidential line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”
