Father and two sons killed in Cork shooting horror

A father and two his two sons have died in a horror shooting in Cork.

Gardai this evening confirmed that the triple fatality is being treated as a double murder-suicide.

The shooting took place near a farm in Assolas outside Kanturk in north Cork around 6.30am. It is understood a row broke out before escalating out of control. The bodies of three men – aged 59-years-old, 25 and 23 – have been recovered.

One man apparently armed himself with a firearm following the dispute and fatally wounded another man.

Further shots were fired when a third man intervened to try and prevent further bloodshed.

Gardia confirmed a woman in her 60s alerted neighbours that firearms had been discharged at her home.  Gardai were informed that three males were present in the house, and that one male may have suffered from gunshot wounds.

Gardaí from Kanturk arrived at the scene a short time later and were informed that further gunshots had been heard locally.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed: “Immediately An Garda Siochana initiated its Critical Firearms incident response.  The scene of the incident, a family home, was contained by local uniform and plain clothes Gardaí supported by Armed Support Unit.

“An Operational Commander was assigned to control the incident supported by Emergency Response Unit, Armed Support Unit, National Negotiator Unit, Technical Support Unit (Garda Headquarters), Southern Region Dog Unit and Air Support Unit. Additional support was provide by the HSE National Ambulance Service.

“Throughout the morning Garda negotiators attempted to make contact with any persons in the house.  After 1pm members of the Emergency Response Unit approached the house and the body of a male in his 20’s, with gunshot wound, was discovered in a bedraoom of the house. No other persons were present in the house.

“The Garda Air Support Unit helicopter commenced an aerial search of the adjoining lands.  At approximately 1.40pm two further bodies, a male in his late 50s and a male in his 20’s were discovered in adjoining lands.  Preliminary indications indicate both bodies have gunshot wounds.”

The Garda Critical Incident response has been stood down.

Both locations have been declared as crime scenes and gardai have begun a full investigation into all the circumstances of the incident under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.

The State pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau have been contacted and are on the way to both scenes.

A family liaison officer has been appointed and an incident room has been established in Kanturk.

Gardai this evening said they are “not looking for any other persons in connection with this incident at this time”.

A Garda spokesperson added: “An Garda Síochána is appealing to any person who may have any information which may assist in the investigation of the incidents which occurred this morning to contact investigating Garda at Mallow Garda Station 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”