GAS POISON COUPLE LAY DEAD FOR DAYS
Faulty heating system blamed for farmhouse gas tragedy
AN elderly couple killed by carbon monoxide may have been dead for days, it emerged yesterday.
Michael Hurley, 83, and Mary Holohan, 79, were found in their isolated farmhouse by Mary’s son-in-law.
He forced his way into the pensioners’ home at Kilderry, Co Kilkenny, and found the couple’s bodies in adjoinining downstairs rooms.
A faulty heating system is thought to have caused the fatal gas leak.
Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick said: “It is an awful tragedy. They were a lovely couple – it’s just a shocking tragedy at this hour of their life.”
A TRAGIC elderly couple may have been killed by carbon monoxide from a faulty heating system, it emerged yesterday.
Michael Hurley, 83, and 79-year-old Mary Holohan were found by a relative who called gardai to the scene near Kilkenny on Wednesday night.
It’s feared the pensioners may have been dead for several days before their bodies were found.
Family members became concerned after not hearing from Mary or Michael for several days.
Officers remained at the scene yesterday as they investigated the incident at the country house on an isolated hilltop on Johnswell Road, Kilderry, outside Kilkenny.
The Irish Mirror has learned Mary’s daughter from her previous marriage became concerned when she could not reach her.
She sent her husband to check on them but found Michael dead on a sitting-room chair.
It is understood he searched the rest of the house and found Mary’s body in an adjoining room.
Forensic experts were at the scene last night as they carried out an examination to rule out suspicious activity.
A source said: “Gardai are fairly confident they died from being poisoned by a heating system that was malfunctioning.
“It is likely to be carbon monoxide as the cause of death but a postmortem will confirm that.
“There were no signs of forced entry and no sign of violence. It’s a tragic accident.”
It is understood Michael suffered from a minor disability. The farmhouse is believed to have been in disrepair and some work was being carried out on a small plot of land.
The gardens were overgrown and a rusting tractor lay covered in briars and foliage in the front yard.
It is believed the pair had lived at the property for around 20 years and were not married.
The house is known locally as the doctor’s house because Michael’s mother, Dr Hurley, was the local GP.
Fianna Fail councillor Pat Fitzpatrick, spoke of the community’s deep shock at the discovery and said that people were “numbed” by the deaths.
He said: “Like everyone here, and as a public representative here, I want to reflect how shocked and saddened we are – it’s an awful tragedy.
“They were a lovely, lovely couple and a very quiet couple who lived in this community and have lived here for a long number of years. It is such a sad occasion. Both of them would have been around the community and they always supported any event locally. They were great to go to sale-of-work events or music events.
“It is a shocking tragedy at this hour of their life.”
Cllr Fitzpatrick said the community would do what they could to help. He added: “We are all remembering them with sadness and people are quietly going about their lives in a community that cares about each other. It is unimaginable to think about – they were quiet, private couple who kept to themselves and only really came out of the house to support events.
“The last time I saw them was in Eurospar in Kilkenny. They always would say hello and acknowledge you. This community will rally around and support the families at this sad time.”
The couple’s bodies were taken to Waterford Regional Hospital for postmortems yesterday.
A Garda spokesman confirmed an investigation was under way but said there was nothing suspicious about the deaths. He added: “Gardai are
investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the bodies of a man and woman in a house in Kilderry, Co Kilkenny.
“The alarm was raised by family members at approximately 7pm on Wednesday evening. Gardai attended the scene and they were both pronounced dead a short time later. They may have been in the house a number of days.
“The outcome of a postmortem will determine the course of the Garda investigation in the case.”
People are quietly going about their lives in a community that cares
CLLR PAT FITZPATRICK
YESTERDAY