Kanturk murder-suicide investigation: Gardaí seeking CCTV as firearms are analysed and post mortems take place

Tue, 27 Oct, 2020 - 11:24

Ann Murphy

GARDAÍ are focusing their investigation into the Kanturk murder suicide on the movements of the O'Sullivan family on Sunday evening and night.

CCTV footage from the nearby village of Castlemagner is being sought as part of the garda probe into the events 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.

Gardai 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.

Tadgh, Mark and Diarmuid O’Sullivan who died in a shooting in a remote part of Kanturk in North Cork. Picture: Gardaí

The deaths came just days before Diarmuid was due to graduate from Cork Institute of Technology with a first class honours degree in accounting.

Today, post mortem examinations are being conducted on the remains of the three men at Cork University Hospital, while three firearms taken from the property at Assolas, between Kanturk and Castlemagner, are being analysed.

It is hoped that both elements will help gardaí determine who fired the fatal shots and how many weapons were used.

Garda sources said this morning that the post mortems got underway at around 10am.

Garda cars parked near out buildings at the farmhouse near Kanturk, Co Cork.

Mr O'Sullivan's wife Ann managed to flee the house at 6.30am and raised the alarm when she arrived at a neighbour's house.

Mark was found dead in his bedroom, while Diarmuid and Tadgh were found in a field a short distance from the family home.

Dr Dan Collins, Head of Student Affairs at CIT, said this morning:

“There are no words anyone can say to express how people are feeling.

This tragedy is heart-breaking, and we extend our thoughts and sympathy to his mother, Ann. We also keep in our thoughts, and prayers, his brother Mark and his father Tadgh. We are mindful at this time of his friends, classmates, and staff of the Department of Accounting and Information Systems, as well as the extended family and neighbours.”

He said that staff described Diarmuid as a young man with promise, who was a hard worker, respected, and held in high regard by staff and students alike.