ENTIRE FAMILY 'WIPED OUT...

Inquest into gun killing of partner & son | Sisters tell of 'traumatic' grief in wake of deaths

- ANN LUCEY

A CORONER has said an entire family was “wiped out” in a murder-suicide. 

The bodies of 56-year-old Eileen O’Sullivan and her 24-year-old son Jamie were found in their bedrooms in their home near Lixnaw, Co Kerry, on the evening of September 7, 2021.

Both had died from a single shot gun wound fired at close range. Eileen had been shot twice and had defensive wounds. She died from a wound to her chest.

Verdicts of unlawful killing were returned in the case of mother and son.

A verdict of suicide was returned by Coroner Helen Lucey in the case of sheep farmer Mossie O’Sulllivan, partner of Eileen and father of Jamie.

The 63-year-old’s body was located outside the house lying face down in a drain. He had died also from a single shotgun wound.

A firearm, licensed in his name, was found on the ground near the drain.

Detective Garda Brian Barry described the gun as a 12 gauge, double barrel breach loading shotgun.

The inquest heard from several witnesses including neighbours, medical personnel and gardai who conducted a search for Mossie and the missing shotgun.

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Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster had visited the scene at Kilfeaney.

In her evidence of the postmortem examination results, the pathologist said natural disease of drugs had not contributed.