Locals in Bansha, Co Tipperary anxiously awaited confirmation of reports that two of the three men three murdered and mutilated in the Netherlands at the weekend were locals.
The two men, who are thought to be brothers from Barnlough, outside Bansha, have not been positively identified as victims.
"We have no information in relation to the identity of the men but we are assisting Dutch police with their investigations," said Supt Murray of Tipperary Garda Station.
Dutch police have requested material for DNA testing, photos and dental records. These items were delivered to Dublin by gardai for transportation to the Netherlands yesterday.
"We are concerned for the feelings of the family at this traumatic time," said Supt Murray.
The Clare man believed to have been murdered in Holland at the weekend is the eldest of a large family who grew up on a local authority housing estate in Ennis, Eibhir Mulqueen writes. The man, whose identity has yet to be confirmed by Dutch police, comes from a large and well-known family in the area, having lived there since the 1970s.
Mr Flann Brennan, manager of a local football club, Cloughleigh Celtic, said the man had not been a member but was known to him. "He was a quiet lad who never bothered anyone," he said.
He said the family was well liked and the mother respected for the way she had reared her children following her husband's death.
There was anger in the neighbourhood at the presence of television cameras outside the family home last Tuesday. The family were described by one neighbour as "wonderful".
A Garda spokesman said that, in common with many young people, he was known to them "in a very, very minor way", as a recreational drug user.