A WEST Belfast community has been left "in shock" following the sudden deaths of two people at a house in Dunmurry.
The bodies a woman - named locally as Cathy Cosgrove - and a man were found at the house at Woodside Drive in Poleglass yesterday morning.
The causes of the deaths have not been confirmed and police said that an investigation is underway. Post-mortem examinations are expected to be carried out in the coming days.
It is believed that Ms Cosgrove, who was a mother-of-three in her 40s, was found in a downstairs room by a relative who alerted emergency services at around 11am.
However they were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at the scene. A short time later a man, believed to be her partner, was discovered dead in an upstairs bedroom.
The property was cordoned off at around noon, with a significant number of police officers and forensic investigators at the scene.
One neighbour described Ms Cosgrove, believed to be the mother of three sons, including teenage twins, as "a quiet and polite" woman "who you would rarely have seen leaving the house".
Police confirmed last night they are investigating "the circumstances surrounding the sudden deaths of two people at a house at the Woodside Drive" but said there were "further details at this stage".
West Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Orlaithi Flynn said both she and party councillor Stephen Magennis had spoken with relatives of the deceased and neighbours yesterday.
"Police investigations are now under way. The family and local residents have asked us to appeal on their behalf for everyone to respect their privacy at this devastating time," she said.
"There is a sense of shock and sadness in the community. We send our sincere condolences to the family at this extremely difficult time."
SDLP councillor Brian Heading described the deaths of the couple as a "shocking discovery".
"People in Poleglass are in shock following the sudden death of two people here," he said.
"My thoughts are with the family and friends of these people at what will be a very difficult time.
"I know that the local community will step up and offer them our fullest support in the days and weeks ahead."
