LAST UPDATE | 10 Nov 2023

THE COUPLE WHOSE bodies were found at their home on yesterday afternoon have been named by Gardaí this evening as married couple,  Joe Collins and Claire Collins.

The scene, located at the couple’s home in the Burren village of Kilnaboy, Co Clare,  remains preserved and technical examinations are ongoing.

Gardaí revealed this evening that a postmortem of the couple has been completed, the results will not be released to the public for operational reasons.

Gardaí are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the couple’s death, and are preparing of a file for the Coroner at this time.

A spokesperson said this evening: “Gardaí are not looking for any other individual in relation to this incident at this time.”

Local county councillor Joe Killeen told The Journal that there is “deep shock and bewilderment” in the area following the grim discovery.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions,” the Fianna Fáil councillor said.

“There is heartbreak that something like this should come to our door and our parish.

“It’s a place where everybody knows everybody else. We’ll do our best to support the community and support people through this huge sadness.”

He added that people have shown great support for the family, who he says have a lot of involvement in the local area, between the GAA, voluntary groups and other clubs.

The bodies were today removed and conveyed to the morgue at University Hospital Limerick.

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place by Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margot Bolster later today, the outcome of which will determine the course of the garda investigation.

The scene remains preserved for an examination by the Garda National Technical Bureau.

A Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to the family of the deceased. 

A Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed and an Incident Room has been established at Ennis Garda Station. 

Gardaí in Co Clare are appealing to anyone who may have information to contact them. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. 

With reporting by Niall O’Connor, Hayley Halpin and Gordon Deegan