Couple found dead in Kerry cottage understood to be from Cork

Locals in the Co Kerry village of Glenbeigh were in a state of shock following the discovery of the bodies of a man and woman, who are understood to have come from Cork, at their home yesterday morning.

The couple, named locally as David and Hazel Byrne, lived at a cottage at Mountain Stage just a few miles outside the village. They are understood to have come to the area four or five years ago from North Cork.

Their bodies remained at their home near Glenbeigh last night as an examination of the scene was being carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the Garda Press Office, the coroner and the State pathologist had also been notified.

The couple whose remains were found are believed to have been in their 50s and the early indications are that the bodies had remained undiscovered at the house for several weeks, possibly since late last year.

“Results of the post-mortem will determine the exact course of the garda investigation,” a garda spokesperson said in the statement.

However, it is understood gardaí are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths which it is suspected are a personal tragedy.

According to local Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill, the people of the area were in “a state of shock” on hearing the news.

“There’s a solemn mood around Glenbeigh village and the parish. I think they’d been living in Glenbeigh for four or five years,” he said.

“They very much kept to themselves, they were quiet people, they wouldn’t have been seen in the community too often and would have been known to walk Rossbeigh Strand the odd time. It’s very tragic news to have in our community this morning.”