The postmortem examinations on the bodies of two people discovered in a B&B in Carlow town yesterday reveal both victims died as a result of gunshot wounds.
The dead man and woman have been identified as John Deegan (53) from Cadamstown, Birr, Co Offaly and Deirdre Keenan (51) of Carragh Road, Naas, Co Kildare.
The Irish Times understands both were separated from their respective partners, had been in a relationship with each other for over a year, and had been living together in Cloghan, Co Offaly. The pair died of gunshot wounds; gardaí do not believe there was third-party involvement.
The case is being treated as a murder-suicide. Ms Keenan is believed to have been shot first. She was found dead in an upstairs room of the Stonehaven B&B on Centaur Street.
Gardaí also believe the couple travelled in the Wexford area on Wednesday and Thursday last week
Gardai are appealing to anyone who was in the area of Centaur Street between 10pm and 1pm yesterday and who may have seen anything unusual to contact Carlow Garda Station at 059 - 9136620, the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Gardaí are still trying to establish a motive for the deaths. The couple were found dead at 1.30pm yesterday when a member of the family who owns the B&B called to the premises.
The couple had booked in for two nights and had been seen socialising in the town on Saturday and Sunday nights.
The postmortem examinations of both bodies was carried out by deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis earlier today.