Gardaí investigate deaths of man (44) and woman (27) in Co Clare

Gardaí have said they are not looking for a third party in relation to the discovery of two bodies in Co Clare last night.

Firefighters and gardaí were at the scene of an electrical fire on the main street in Kildysart, Co Clare, at approximately 7.30pm when they came across an injured woman and a child.

The woman collapsed and the child ran into a house on the same street.

Gardaí went to the woman’s aid and emergency services were contacted. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene but, despite efforts to resuscitate her, the 27-year-old died at the scene.

When gardaí went to investigate the premises the child had entered, they came across a 44-year-old man who appeared to have a serious injury.

A Garda source said officers spoke briefly to the man before he collapsed. Paramedics were once again rushed to the scene but efforts to resuscitate him failed.

A local doctor who was called to the scene pronounced both the man and the woman dead.

It is understood gardaí are treating the deaths as a domestic incident and are not seeking a third party in relation to the matter.

Detectives were last night attempting to piece together a timeline of events that led to the injuries sustained by the man and the woman.

It is understood both are South African nationals and that there were two children in the property at the time.

The ages of the children could not be ascertained last night but both are understood to be uninjured.

The two bodies were still at the scene last night, and the area was sealed off for a technical examination. The Office of the State Pathologist was also contacted, and the Assistant State Pathologist is expected to attend the scene today.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have been in Kildysart, particularly on the main street.