THE local community of Castlemagner will knit together to support Ann O’Sullivan through the fatal shootings of her husband and two adult sons.

That is according to local man Paul Gallagher, who is assistant public relations officer with Castlemagner GAA club.

He said 59-year-old Tadgh, 25-year-old Mark, and 22-year-old Diarmuid were all well known in the locality.

Mark and Diarmuid had both played football when younger, with Croke Rovers, an amalgamation of Castlemagner and Lismire juvenile sections.

He told The Echo: “They are from a very well-respected family and the community is absolutely reeling from this.”

He said the thoughts of everyone are with Ann O’Sullivan, who is recovering from surgery. Her home remained sealed off today as a forensic examination continued.

And he said: “The community will all knit together now.”

There are no funeral arrangements yet for the three men. Prayers were offered at Mass in Kanturk today for the three men and for Ann O’Sullivan.

In a statement, parish priest Fr Toby Bluitt, who is also the administrator for Castlemagner parish, said: “On behalf of the parish communities of Castlemagner, and Kanturk and Lismire, we offer our deepest sympathies to Ann O’Sullivan on the tragic loss of her husband Tadgh and sons Diarmuid and Mark.

“All of us are in deep shock and numbed by this heartbreaking news. We pray the Lord’s consolation for Ann and her family and for God’s embrace for Tadgh, Diarmuid, and Mark. May they rest in peace.” Relatives of the family have appealed for privacy, he said.

He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and we ask for the prayers of the whole community for those involved.”

Fr John Magner, a curate in Kanturk, attended at the family farm on Monday afternoon, after the bodies were discovered, and before they were removed to Cork University Hospital for post mortem examinations. He told RTÉ News at One that he had ministered to Ann O’Sullivan and that she was “absolutely devastated” by the loss of the three men in the tragedy.

He also spoke of friends of the young men who died: “It’s very tough on people. It’s very difficult for younger people to understand why all these things happen,” he added.

The Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, has also offered prayers for the O’Sullivan family.

Fine Gael councillor, John Paul O’Shea, said everyone is “deeply saddened and shocked” by the deaths. He is urging anyone who needs support to reach out to services.

Support and helplines

Samaritans: 116 123
Aware Helpline: 1890 303302
GROW; 1890 474474
Pieta House; 1800 247247

Earlier: POST mortems have been completed on two of the three men killed in yesterday's shooting incident in Kanturk.

The examinations got underway at Cork University Hospital this morning by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, on the remains of Tadgh O'Sullivan and his two sons, Mark and Diarmuid.

Tomorrow, the third post mortem will begin at 11am.

A garda spokesman said: "A formal identification of the three men will follow thereafter."

CCTV footage from nearby Castlemagner village will be examined by gardaí who are eager to put together the movements of the O'Sullivan family on Sunday evening and night which led to the fatal shooting of 59-year-old Tadgh O'Sullivan and his 22-year-old son Diarmuid and 25-year-old son Mark yesterday morning.

Gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, which kicked off before 6.30am yesterday. 

The incident is understood to be linked to an inheritance dispute.