Investigations into the killing of pensioners Jack and Tom Blaine in Castlebar continued last night.
The Blaines – aged 68 and 70 – were beaten to death in their home on New Antrim Street, Castlebar, on Wednesday.
Gardaí believe the attacker talked his way into the brothers’ modest home early on Wednesday and was most likely motivated by robbery.
However, gardaí believe there was “no more than a few hundred euro” in the house at the time.
The pensioners’ bodies lay at the house until 7am when they were discovered by a home help who usually called at that time to help the men shower and prepare for their day.
Tom was found dead in a yard at the back of the house while Jack’s body was found behind a door in the downstairs bedroom.
Both had physical disabilities and were mentally impaired, while Jack was deaf and was almost completely non-verbal due to a speech impediment.
Gardaí in Castlebar were continuing to hold a man in his twenties for questioning last night in connection with their investigation into the killings.
The man, from Co Mayo, was being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 which allows him to be held for 24 hours without charge.
However, while he was arrested last evening, when the periods of time during which questioning was suspended to allow him to sleep and eat are taken into account, his period of detention was due to run out just before 1am today.
The bodies of the dead men were expected to be released today for burial at the weekend.
Paul Dunne, their cousin, said it was hoped to have the funerals on Sunday but no definite arrangements had been confirmed last night.
Garda Supt Pat Diskin, who is heading the double murder investigation, thanked the people of the town for their support and assistance and said information which might prove very valuable had been forthcoming from the community at large.
Last night’s meeting of Castlebar Town Council was adjourned as a mark of respect to the dead men. A book of condolences has been opened at the town council offices in Marsh House.
After the meeting, Castlebar mayor Noreen Heston, a friend of the Blaines, led a group of councillors to their house where she laid a wreath of flowers. “I have known Tommy and Jackie for 10 years,” Ms Heston said.
“They were quiet and inoffensive, really lovely people.”