THE bodies of an elderly couple found at their home in Co Tipperary are thought to have been undiscovered at the property since at least last year.
The bodies of the man and woman, both believed to have been in their 70s, were found at the house about four kilometres from the village of Cloneen yesterday.
The discovery occurred following a request by Fine Gael councillor Mark Fitzgerald for gardaí to perform a welfare check at the house.
An examination of the scene by members of the Garda Technical Bureau took place on Monday evening, and a garda spokesperson said the offices of the State Pathologist were notified.
The spokesperson said a cause of death has yet to be established, but there was no indication of foul play.
The couple are believed to have originally been from England, and moved to Ireland several years ago.
It is understood that dental records may be required to officially identify the couple, due to how long the bodies are thought to have been in the property after death.
Garda officers investigating the case are understood to have been told by some locals that the couple had not been seen in the area since 2020.
Mark Fitzgerald said a resident in the area had raised concerns with him, which prompted the request for a welfare check.
He said the discovery had left a feeling of "shock and sadness" in the area.
Mr Fitzgerald told the Irish Independent that he is a local publican, but didn't know the couple.
"They really did keep to themselves, and you have to...respect that. People want to be left alone in privacy," he said, adding that the couple "didn't mix or mingle with the wider community".