Kilkenny deaths: Tributes paid to deceased couple who have been named locally

Tributes are being paid to an elderly couple who were found dead at their home on the Johnswell Road yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor, Pat Fitzpatrick said that the couple Michael Hurley and his partner Mary Holohan  were 'highly respected and regarded' in the locality.

"They were very quiet and reserved and kept themselves to themselves. The whole community is shocked and saddened to hear of their deaths. As a public representative I am appealing for privacy for their families at this time," he said.

Gardaí are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the bodies of a man (83) and woman (79) in a house in Kilderry, Johnswell, Co. Kilkenny.

The alarm was raised by family members at approximately 7pm yesterday evening (21/11/2018). Gardaí attended the scene and they were both pronounced dead a short time later. It’s understood they may have been in the house a number of days.

Both bodies remain at the scene which was preserved overnight by Gardaí. Members of the Garda Technical Bureau are currently examining the house. The office of the State Pathologist and local Coroner have been notified of the deaths.

The outcome of a post-mortem examination will determine the course of the Garda investigation in the case.