Ireland

Gardai investigation under way after bodies of three brothers discovered in Co Cork

Gardaí at the scene near Kilacluig, close to Michelstown, after the body of a third man was found yesterday. Earlier, the bodies of two brothers were found at a farm in north Cork. Picture by Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire
Gardaí at the scene near Kilacluig, close to Michelstown, after the body of a third man was found yesterday. Earlier, the bodies of two brothers were found at a farm in north Cork. Picture by Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire Gardaí at the scene near Kilacluig, close to Michelstown, after the body of a third man was found yesterday. Earlier, the bodies of two brothers were found at a farm in north Cork. Picture by Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire

GARDAÍ have said they are not looking for anyone else in their investigation into deaths of three brothers in Co Cork.

The body of Paddy Hennessy, who was 60, was found by family members at around midnight in the yard of a farm in a rural area outside Mitchelstown in the north of the county.

The body of his 59-year-old brother, Johnny, was then found in a shed.

The discoveries prompted a large scale garda operation for a third brother early yesterday.

More than 50 officers from various garda units were involved in the search.

At around midday, the garda air support unit spotted the body of Willie Hennessy (66) in the River Funcheon.

Garda divers found the body in a remote location close to where a red Toyota Corolla had been discovered.

Gardaí found the vehicle parked at an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, close to Mitchelstown.

The car has been removed for forensic examination.

It was reported that Johnny and Willie were both single and lived on the family farm while Paddy was a separated father-of-two, who was living in Mitchelstown.

Speaking at a press conference outside Mitchelstown Garda Station yesterday, Superintendent Liam Geraghty said gardai were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The Garda officer said no firearms were involved in the incident however would not confirm whether a weapon was recovered from the scene.

"A number of scenes remain preserved and are undergoing examination by the technical bureau," he said.

Mr Geraghty said the bodies would be transferred to Cork University Hospital and post mortem examinations would take place today.

He also appealed for anyone with information about the interaction of the people involved to contact gardai.

Mr Geraghty described it as a "difficult scene", adding that counselling services have been provided for gardai who attended the area.

"We know the identity of all three bodies and are not looking for anyone else," he added.