'It's devastating': Sisters of man found dead in Macroom speak of second family heartbreak

The two sisters of a man found dead in Macroom, Co Cork have spoken of their heartbreak at losing two of their brothers in tragic circumstances over a period of just over five years.

A postmortem examination is being carried out today at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on father of four Michael Foley. 

Mr Foley, who was a native of Clonakilty in Co Cork, was living in sheltered accommodation in Annville in Barrett’s Place in the town.

The 61-year-old father of four's body was discovered in the kitchen of the property at lunchtime yesterday by a care worker. He had sustained extensive head injuries.

This is the second tragedy to hit the family in recent times. In October 2018 Timmy Foley, the younger brother of Michael Foley was stabbed 28 times by his 48-year-old ex wife, Rita O’Driscoll.

Ms O’Driscoll was subsequently jailed for life for the murder of the 44-year-old following a trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork.

In an interview with RTÉ News, Mary O’Driscoll, a sister of the late Michael and Timmy, said that she was finding it hard to absorb yet another loss in their close knit family.

“It is devastating that we have to go through this. It is the not knowing and the waiting. A brother of mine was contacted by gardaí in Macroom and they said that he (Michael) had passed away.

"I am hoping with all my heart that he wasn’t assaulted or anything like that. Here in this town again my brother Timmy was murdered by his ex-wife.

"Michael moved here a few years after his brother’s death. He said he got comfort from knowing the same people Timmy knew. He got on very well here. I can’t come to terms with it. 

"We are going to have to take each day as it comes. We are still in grief for our brother (Timmy). Grief is like a living disability. You never get over grief. We are not over the death of our brother. For this to come around a second time.” 

Mary said that Michael was a chatty and friendly guy who always travelled home to Clonakilty to visit his relatives.

“He was a nice person to get on with. He really was. It is going to be a terrible loss.” 

Ann Foley, who is also a sister to Michael,  said that he was a "gentleman".

Meanwhile, the property where the late Michael Foley was found was sealed off for a technical and forensic examination. House to house enquiries are being carried out and CCTV from the area is being examined.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster will carry out a postmortem today at CUH the results of which will determine the course of the investigation.

Anyone with information on the incident should contact gardaí in Macroom, Co Cork on 026 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.