An inquest into the deaths of a family of four who died in Monageer two years ago returned a verdict of unlawful killing in relation to Ciara O’Brien and her two children. The father, Adrian Dunne, died by suicide.
The family was found death at their home in Co Wexford on Monday, April 23rd, 2007, prompting a major State inquiry into the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The coroner Dr Sean Nixon told the inquest in Enniscorthy today that the issue of whether an unlawful death was murder or manslaughter was one for the courts. However, there would not be a case given that all the family members were deceased.
Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis told the inquest that Ms O’Brien was found lying dead on the floor of the living room, dressed in a brown jumper and jeans.
A post-mortem found she died as a result of strangulation from a man’s neck tie. There was no evidence that she had struggled to free her herself.
She had a black eye and suffered bruising around her scalp, indicating she may have been unconcious before the ligature was tied around her neck.
Both children, five-year-old Leanne and three-year-old Shania, were found lying toe to toe on a couch, covered by a duvet. They were dressed in their pyjamas and each child held a “Dora the Explorer” soft doll.
Dr Curtis said both children had died from asphyxia due to smothering, with no obvious evidence of major injuries.
Adrian Dunne was found dead in the house, wearing a Celtic jersey and blue jeans. The cause of death was hanging.
No drugs were detected in the bodies of any of the families, although a low level of alcohol was detected in Mr Dunne’s system.
Dr Nixon said it seemed clear that both parents were in agreement over ending their lives and were able to deflect attention away when those who became suspicious about their plans.
He said it was a feature of familicide cases that parents had a deep love for their children and that “bringing them to heaven” would be an escape from their circumstances.
“I think their lives were taken in a misguided belief that life would be better for them somewhere else,” he said.
He commended Joanne Cooney, a funeral undertaker, for being alert to the danger facing the family when the parents came to organise a funeral for themselves and their children. She contacted gardai immediately and spoke to a local curate who visited the family the night before they died.
Dr Nixon said the family was able to give the impression that their lives were not in any danger when an experienced local priest called to the house the night before they died.
In addition, they had given the impression they were a normal, happy family when they met with a public health earlier that day, Dr Nixon said.
The coroner told the inquest he hoped something could be learned from the tragedy and that more support would be available for people under stress in future.
Public health nurse Margaret Freyne, who had known the family for several years, said in a statement that the family appeared to be a caring family and had always kept their appointments with her.
She added that she had been contacted on one occasion by Ciara O’Brien’s mother, Marian, who was concerned for her daughter and two grandchildren.
“Ms O’Brien said she and her husband had been made to feel very unwelcome by Mr Dunne.”
“She more or less asked me to keep a line of contact open with the family. I told her professionally I could not do that without their consent,” Ms Freyne said.
Following the inquest, a solicitor for the O’Brien family, Ciaran Lynch, said they would not be making any statement and appealed to the media to cease seeking a statement from them.
Jason Dunne, a solicitor represented the Dunne family, said in a statement that it had been a traumatic experience and the family now wished to be left alone.