A farmer slaughtered his two brothers with an axe in a horror double murder before taking his own life, gardai believe.
Detectives think Johnny Hennessy, 59, attacked Willie, 66, and 60-year-old Paddy with the hatchet on the family farm near Mitchelstown, Co Cork.
Its understood he then fled the scene in a van. His body was found in a river 5km away with sources saying he killed himself.
Neighbour and former Cork East TD Kevin OKeeffe said: It is beyond belief what happened.
A land dispute is believed to have led a farmer to murder his two brothers with an axe before he killed himself.
Detectives say Johnny Hennessy attacked Paddy, 60, and 66-year-old Willie near Mitchelstown, Co Cork, on Thursday night.
Paddy (left) and Willie Hennessy were murdered at home in Mitchelstown, Co Cork
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Detectives believe he then fled in a Toyota Corolla van as a massive manhunt got under way, and was found dead in a river 5km away. Sources said he took his own life.
One source claimed: Its understood a row broke out over the small farm it was over a portion concerning about six acres.
The bodies of Paddy and Willie were found before midnight on Thursday after officers got a call from someone fearing for their safety .
The Garda armed support unit was sent to the farm in Curraghgorm along with local officers. Paddy was found in a yard before Willie was discovered in a barn. They had severe facial and neck wounds.
The farm off the Mitchelstown to Mallow Road outside Kildorrery, co. Cork where the bodies of two brothers in their 60s were discovered. (Image: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision)
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A huge manhunt was launched and early yesterday morning a national appeal was made to try trace a red Toyota Corolla van.
The public were urged not to approach it or the driver but to ring 999. By that stage 50 gardai including the armed support unit, the dog unit, and air support were involved in the hunt. Around 12pm the helicopter spotted Hennessys body in the Funshion River and a few hours later the water unit recovered it.
It was taken to Cork University Hospital where a postmortem will be carried out. The bodies of the other two brothers remained at the farm until late last night where they were examined by State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster. They were then removed to CUH and their postmortems will take place today.
At the scene Cllr Frank Roche told the Irish Mirror that locals were devastated.
The late Paddy (Pat) Henessey pictured with his local GAA club Ballygiblin in 1984. (Image: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision)
He said: It is frightening to think that we have another one of these double murders, it is a completely quiet area, this time yesterday you would have seen hardly anyone around here.
People are absolutely devastated. I get phone calls on a daily basis about people having problems with farms, peoples lives and their feelings are being badly hurt. Fine Gael Cllr Kay Dawson echoed Mr Roche saying she doesnt have the language to put the words to the horror.
She said: You cant make anything of it because it just doesnt make sense.
Normally when you listen to the news its someplace else, but this is our own community devastated by this tragedy.
I dont have the language to put the words on the sensation. Unbelievable I think is the best way to describe it. Its a tight, close-knit community, a hard-working community and we are devastated. They were salt of the earth, just got on with their daily lives.They interacted well. They were genuine, quiet, gentle people. Its just unbelievable to wake up today to hear that they are no longer with us.
I am stuck for words and I normally wouldnt be. Its a tragedy beyond belief and our understanding.
Late Willie Henessey pictured with his local GAA club Ballygiblin in 1979. (Image: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision)
Armed gardai initially attended as it was feared a gun could have been involved, although there was no licensed firearm registered at the farm which was owned by Johnny Hennessy.
So far no notes or clues have been found but gardai believe the tensions may be linked to a dispute over a section of the farm owned by one of the brothers.
Johnny and Willie were single and lived on the family farm while Paddy, also known as Pa, was a separated father of two and lived in Mitchelstown.
They were known as the Saint Hennessys and had a reputation for being hard-working and respectful.
They were big into sports and never drank, according to one friend who said both Willie and Johnny mainly kept to themselves while Pa was known as the outgoing one. They are survived by one sister while another brother Jer died in 2014. Supt Liam Geraghty urged anyone with information to come forward as they look to confirm a motive.
Superintendent Liam Geraghty speaks to the media outside Mitchelstown Garda Station, Co. Cork, after the body of a third man was found during a manhunt in Cork. (Image: Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire)
At Mitchelstown Garda Station he said: Members of the public may have some information in relation to interactions between the people involved at this time.
Any information they may have, even if they think its not relevant, they should please contact us and we will decide whether its relevant to our investigation. Were not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident.
He added gardai been speaking to relatives and a liaison officer has been helping them cope.
A Garda spokesman said: Shortly before midnight on Thursday, gardai in Mitchelstown were alerted to the an incident at a farm house and lands at Curragorm.
Local uniform and plain clothes officers attended the scene supported by Armed Support Units.
A male in his 60s was discovered dead in the farmyard.
Following a further search the body of a second male in his 60s was also found in a shed.
Gardai commenced a search for a third male, also related, believed to be driving a Red Toyota Corolla car/van, 03 WW 1556. This car was subsequently found by gardai parked at an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, Mitchelstown. This car has been removed from the scene for a technical examination.
Garda at the scene near Curraghgorm, Co Cork, after the body of a third man has been found during a manhunt in Cork. (Image: Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire)
Gardai discovered the body of male in a river in a remote location nearby. Investigations are ongoing to recover and identify this body.
A number of scenes have been preserved for technical examination.
The bodies of the two males remain at the scene.
We appeal to anyone with information on the incidents that occurred last night to contact investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda station 025 84833, the Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Timeline to a killing spree
12.15am: The bodies of the two of the Hennessy brothers are discovered at the farm outside Mitchelstown, Co Cork by Gardai early on Friday. One body is found in a yard and a second body is discovered in a shed.
8am: Gardai make a public appeal as they seek information on a red Toyota Corolla Van, registration 03-WW-1556. People are advised to call 999 immediately if they spot the vehicle and are warned not to approach it or the driver.
9.45am: A manhunt begins after the Toyota Corolla van is found in the Killacluig area, about 8km from the tragic scene.
11.55am: The body of a third Hennessy brother is discovered in the River Funshion in the Killacluig area. This location is less than 1km from the abandoned van and about 6km from the grim scene where the two bodies were earlier found.
