GARDAÍ ARE TREATING the deaths of Eoghan and Ruairí Chada as murder. Post-mortems on the boys’ bodies were completed yesterday evening, although gardaí said they were not being released publicly for operational reasons. However, it’s believed they were strangled.
According to RTÉ, investigating officers are awaiting medical permission to speak to the children’s father Sanjeev Chada. It’s reported blood tests are being conducted on the boys’ bodies to determine if they were drugged before their deaths.
Ten-year-old Eoghan and five-year-old Ruairí were found in the boot of Chada’s crashed car in rural Mayo on Monday afternoon. They were reported missing after the three failed to return to the family home in Ballinkillen in Carlow after Chada said he was taking the boys bowling on Sunday night.
A nationwide alert was issued for the children on Monday afternoon, but they were found dead at Cloneen, Rosbeg at around 3.30pm that day – around four miles from Westport.
43-year-old Sanjeev Chada was taken for treatment for non-serious injuries to Mayo General Hospital. Chada will be interviewed in hospital today by gardaí once medical staff give permission.
The young boys are believed to have died sometime before the crash, but gardaí would not confirm this last night, only saying that investigations are ongoing.
Gardaí have renewed their an appeal for information on the car – a Ford Focus, with the registration number 06 CW 238 – which would have crossed the country to Mayo at some stage between 6.30pm on Sunday evening, and the following afternoon.
Investigators are particularly interested in speaking with any petrol station attendants or other business owners who would have served Sanjeev Chada on the journey. A number of people have already contacted gardaí with information on the case.
An incident room has been set-up at Westport Garda Station, and investigating gardaí are working closely on the case with officers in Carlow. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Westport Station on 098 50230 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
It’s expected the boys’ bodies will be released to their family this evening at the earliest, with funerals to be arranged for some stage later this week.
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