When the landlord of number 12, Rinawade Grove, Leixlip, tried to make contact with his tenants last July he could never have guessed what lay behind the doors.
The bodies of sisters Josephine (46), twins Catherine and Ruth (51) Mulrooney and their aunt Frances (83) were discovered in the front room and kitchen. A fridge had been pushed up to the front door and the letter box was sealed. A table and chair had been placed at the back door. The heat was on full blast.
Garda investigators quickly ruled out suicide and murder and said they believed the women died from carbon dioxide poisoning from their central heating system.
Garda sources told the media the women had sealed off ventilation openings in their three-bedroom house, while neighbours from their previous home said the women were anxious to prevent draughts.
However, it later emerged that the central heating system had not malfunctioned and that malnutrition may have caused the deaths of the three sisters. It was reported that the women had not eaten for some time.
The Mulrooney sisters were close to their aunt Frances and were deeply concerned at her ill health in the months before they died. Frances Mulrooney had looked after Catherine, Ruth and Josephine since their mother died in 1988. The sisters' family name was Feeney but they changed their name by deed poll to Mulrooney, apparently because of their affinity with their aunt, whom they called "Mammy".
The discovery of the four bodies was first seen as a symbol of the increasing anonymity and isolation of suburban life. The Mulrooneys lived in a new housing estate mostly populated by young working couples.
Then it emerged that the women had not sought attention and preferred to keep to themselves. Neighbours described them as "reclusive" and some said they had not seen the four since March.
Because of their reclusiveness, locals had difficulty piecing together the women's lives. Some neighbours said they were not even aware there was anyone living at number 12. Others said that the women only ventured outdoors in pairs.
Det Supt Tony Sourke was reported as saying: "It is very rare to see four bodies coming out of one home. It is a tragic sequence of events for those involved and for the people of Leixlip."
A neighbour, Ms Liz Ryan, said she had only ever seen two of the women when they went shopping. "They never spoke to anyone, and their garden never seemed to be tidy, that was the only noticeable thing about them," she had said.
Journalists visiting the house reported that its only notable feature was a picture of Jesus Christ in the front window. Another neighbour had noted that religious images were constantly changed in the front window of the house.
The sisters and aunt had moved to Leixlip almost two years previously from Tritonville Road in Sandymount. They had been receiving a rent supplement from the South Western Area Health Board.
In Sandymount, more was known about the Mulrooneys. The family were originally from the Dolphin's Barn area of the South Circular Road and had owned a hardware shop.
One elderly man said he had lived beside them for 15 years. "They were so much to themselves, God love them. They thought it bad to open the door to anyone. But they were always very respectful to me and it's really very sad."
Yesterday, Leixlip curate Father Rossa Doyle said the community was greatly saddened by the evidence at the inquest. "It's very, very sad, especially for the family involved. They are in our prayers," he said. "It's a dreadful time for them."
He said the isolation of suburban life could not be blamed for the women's deaths. "It seems that these people had chosen to be isolated. We definitely could not blame their neighbours. Three parish workers had called to their house but had got no response." The St Vincent de Paul conference in Leixlip said its members were shocked such a tragedy could have happened unknown.