Gardaí say motive yet to emerge for suspected murder-suicide in Kerry

Gardaí investigating the suspected double murder and suicide which claimed the lives of three members of a Co Kerry family have said they still have no clear motive for what happened.

Detectives are now appealing to anyone who knew the family to come forward in the hope they may be able to shed some light on the motive for the crime.

Gardaí are hopeful a friend or associate who has not yet been spoken to as part of the investigation may know something about the family’s background that could shed light on the motive.

The remains of Eileen (56) and Maurice "Mossie" O'Sullivan (63) and their son Jamie (24) were discovered after neighbours became concerned for their welfare and called to their family home at Kilfeighney, Lixnaw, north Co Kerry, on Tuesday evening.

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Gardaí believe Maurice O’Sullivan shot his son and partner in the bedrooms of their home, possibly on Monday night. Detectives believe he then walked a short distance from his house and shot himself close to a neighbouring property, where his body and a legally-held shotgun were found.

They are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shootings.

He left no suicide note and no other clue has been unearthed so far about why he murdered his family and took his own life. He had sold some sheep days before the shooting, but gardaí do not believe that transaction was in any way linked to the violence. Detectives have found no evidence of financial problems or disputes over money.

Concerned

Garda sources said investigators had spoken to a large number of people who knew the O’Sullivans, including family members, friends and locals in the Kilfeighney and Lixnaw areas, but still did not have any indication about why the shootings took place.

Neighbours became concerned on Tuesday evening after they had not seen the family all day and had been unable to reach them by phone. When neighbours called to the family home at about 8.30pm, they found Ms O’Sullivan and her son dead in their bedrooms. Maurice O’Sullivan’s body was found a short time later.

Postmortems on the victims’ remains have been completed, but gardaí are not releasing the results of those examinations.

Garda Headquarters issued a statement saying there were keeping an open mind on the deaths.

"It remains the cases that at this time An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person in relation to this investigation. No motive has yet been established in this case."

Funeral arrangements are still being finalised.

The bodies of Ms O’Sullivan and her son have been released to undertakers Lawlors of Ballyduff. No final arrangements have been made pending the arrival of relatives from the UK.

Mossie O’Sullivan’s funeral is to be strictly private, and is being dealt with by separate undertakers. It is expected to take place at St Michael’s Church, Lixnaw, but no details are being released at the request of the family.