Police investigate deaths of three brothers in County Cork

Garda ‘not looking for anyone else’ after suspected murder-suicide

Garda at the scene near Curraghgorm, County Cork, following the deaths of three brothers. (PA)

Police investigating the deaths of two brothers at a remote farm in County Cork have discovered the body of a third brother in a river.

The two men aged in their 60s were found dead at a house in the rural area of Curragorm outside Mitchelstown shortly before midnight on Thursday.

One was found found in the farmyard, and the second was found in a shed.

The discovery prompted a search operation for a third brother and a garda helicopter was deployed as officers appealed for help tracing a red Toyota Corolla van.

On Friday morning the van was found parked an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, close to Mitchelstown. It has been removed for further examination.

A search led to the discovery of the body of a man in a river nearby. Police said the body had been removed from the water by the marine unit.

At a press conference held by the An Garda Siochana on Friday afternoon, Superintendent Liam Geraghty said they were not yet releasing the identity of the three men “for operational reasons” but confirmed they were all related.

“We are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incidents,” he added.

The brothers have been named in local media reports as John, Paddy and Willie Hennessy. The family are understood to come from a farming background and are well known in the area.

Supt Geraghty said police were not able to give any details of any weapon, but in response to questions said there was no indication any firearm was involved.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank O’Flynn said people were shocked at the discovery of the bodies.

“I know the area very well. It’s very quiet and very rural,” he told the PA news agency.

“People are really shocked to wake up to this tragedy. The community is very sad for the family and our thoughts and prayers are with them today.”

More than 50 officers are involved in the investigation.

Additional reporting by Press Association