NEIGHBOURS of a woman who was found dead alongside her twin brother in south Belfast have said the community has been left "numb" by the double tragedy.
Claire and Stevie O'Neill, both aged 37, were found unconscious at Claire's home in the Annadale Crescent area in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Post-mortems on the pair have been carried out and police have said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances, but are not treating them as suspicious.
It has been reported that two other males who were in the house at the time were also taken to hospital by paramedics.
A man in his 40s was arrested by police investigating the deaths and has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.
A mother of three children, Ms O'Neill had lived in the area for many years, neighbours confirmed, while it is understood her brother lived in the nearby Ormeau Road area.
Jim and Nicola McKevitt, who live close to the house where Saturday's tragedy occurred, told The Irish News that Ms O'Neill was someone who "would never pass by without saying hello".
"We would have seen her in the mornings and afternoons taking her children to school, and she was such a friendly person, it's heartbreaking," Ms McKevitt said.
Her husband added: "This is actually a quiet area, and we never had any trouble. She was a lovely neighbour who loved her children, and the whole area is just feeling numb at the news."
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said Ms O'Neill was "like a sister" to some in the area.
"She was a wee darling and a caring mum. It's hard to believe we won't hear her again - sometimes you would have heard her before seeing her, but she was just a great girl. I've known her since she moved here, and she'll not be forgotten."
The neighbour added he saw the lights from emergency vehicles in the early hours but did not learn of the tragedy until later that day.
"It was a shock and it's still hard to believe what has happened," he added.
South Belfast Alliance MLA Kate Nicholl said the deaths was "deeply concerning", adding: "My thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased. I urge anyone with information on this matter to contact police with it immediately."
SDLP councillor Séamas de Faoite said:"My thoughts are with the O’Neill family at this very tragic time, particularly with three young children who are now without their mother."
