Cork couple found dead in Glounthaune home named locally

A couple in their 80s who were found dead near the stairs of their terraced home in Glounthaune, Co Cork, on Monday have been named locally as 83-year-old Michael and 80-year-old Anne O’Sullivan.

The bodies of the couple were found at about 5pm after a relative called to their property in the village. He found himself unable to contact the couple, and enlisted the help of another man to force open the door of the property.

Gardaí and the emergency services were contacted after the two men found the bodies of the couple near the stairs.

A local GP formally pronounced the couple dead, and their bodies were later taken to the morgue at Cork University Hospital for postmortem examinations.

There was no evidence of a gas leak, nor was there anything to suggest they had met their deaths via foul play. The property has been technically examined as gardaí attempt to determine what caused their deaths.

Gardaí are examining the possibility that the deaths may have occurred as a result of a fall. One of the parties possibly sustained a fall or experienced a medical incident with the other also being fatally injured whilst going to their assistance.

It is understood that contact was last made with the couple on Sunday evening, so gardaí have established that the deaths occurred at some period after that time.

Prayers were offered for Mr and Mrs O’Sullivan at a Mass in the area yesterday morning. The couple were described as being “very quiet people” who were respected in the village, which is located east of Cork city.

The results of the postmortem examinations will determine the course of the garda investigation. However, the deaths are being treated as a tragedy. Funeral arrangements will be finalised in the coming days. An inquest will be heard at a later date.

Speaking to The Echo, Fine Gael Cork North Central TD Colm Burke said: “This discovery is very sad for the couple’s immediate family. It’s obviously very sad that this has occurred.”

Labour Party Cork North Central TD Eoghan Kenny said: “I would like to offer my condolences to all of Anne and Michael’s family. This is very sad news coming from the Glounthaune community.”

Fine Gael Cork East TD Noel McCarthy offered his “deepest sympathies” to all impacted by the death of Anne and Michael O’Sullivan.

“My deepest sympathies go out to everyone involved, all their neighbours in the area must be shocked.”

Sinn Féin Cork East TD Pat Buckley said his thoughts are with the O’Sullivan family.

“My condolences go out to their immediate and extended family, this is a massive tragedy,” said Mr Buckley.

“In their elder years of life they were together, and now, unfortunately, in the way it has happened, they have left together as well.

“The good thing is that they will go on to the next place with each other.”