Deaths of elderly couple in Co Kerry being treated as ‘tragic event’

Gardaí are treating the deaths of an elderly couple in Co Kerry as “a tragic event” following the completion of post-mortems on the couple on Monday evening.

Gardaí had requested the services of the State Pathologist’s Office to carry out post-mortems on the bodies of couple, Tony and Phyllis Gilbert who were found dead in their home in Kenmare on Sunday.

Acting State Pathologist, Dr Linda Mulligan carried out post-mortems on the couple at University Hospital Kerry on Monday but gardaí have not released the results for operational reasons.

However, gardaí did confirm Dr Mulligan has taken some samples at post-mortem which will be sent for toxicology tests.

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Gardaí also confirmed that they had released the Gilbert family home at Dromnevane Estate in Kenmare back to the family after it had been cordoned off and examined by garda technical experts.

“We are treating the deaths of this elderly couple as a tragic event and we are not looking for anybody else in connection with their deaths,” a senior garda source told The Irish Times.

The bodies of the Gilberts - who were both aged 83 and had moved to Kenmare from the UK over 30 years ago - were discovered when a relative called to their home at around 10.30am on Sunday.

The relative found a note attached to the door asking the finder to contact the gardaí and they immediately contacted emergency services who were quickly on the scene.

A GP from Southdoc pronounced the couple dead and their bodies were removed to University Hospital Kerry where Acting State Pathologist, Dr Linda Mulligan began the post-mortems.

Gardaí began door to door inquiries in the estate and they also began harvesting CCTV footage around Kenmare town to try and establish when either person was last seen alive.

It is also understood that gardaí have begun checking phone records to try and establish when the couple last had any contact with people which could help establish when they may have died.

Fine Gael Cllr Patrick Connor-Scarteen said on Sunday the news was just filtering through and people in the town were shocked and upset about the “very tragic news”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends,” he said.