Gardai are probing if the bodies of an elderly couple lay dead in their home for over a year.
The pair, in their 70s and from the Cloneen area of South Tipperary, hadn’t been seen in 18 months.
A local source said: “The bodies could have been there for a long, long time.”
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But investigators will have to wait for results of examinations to establish a time frame as to when the couple died.
The Irish Mirror understands that they had not been seen for such a long time that some neighbours were under the impression they had moved from their house.
But a local source said that suspicions arose in recent days and someone made gardai aware.
Officers called to the property at around 4pm yesterday and made the grim discovery.
The source said: “Some neighbours thought they had moved away but sadly that wasn’t the case.
“The couple very much kept to themselves and not many would have known them personally but only on hello terms if they passed them walking or that sort of thing.”
Locals in the area last night said the pair were from England.
Gardai confirmed that an investigation is underway as they probe “all circumstances” but early indications show that there may have been no foul play.
The house was sealed off yesterday evening as the bodies remained there as the Garda Technical Bureau carried out an examination.
Investigators also confirmed that the offices of the State Pathologist have been notified.
Local Councillor Mark Fitzgerald said people were stunned at the news.
He told the Irish Mirror: “The word broke and we are shocked in the community because we’re a rural, close knit community.
“Anyone passing away, it’s always a tragic event.
“But tragic circumstances like this, it makes it that bit more sad.”
