A SOMBRE mood still hung over Clonroche, Co Wexford, yesterday as Garda investigations into the deaths of the Flood family continued.
Diarmuid Flood (41), his wife Lorraine (38) and their children Mark (6) and Julie (5) were found dead inside their burning home in the early hours of Saturday.
Gardaí are investigating a number of theories in an effort to find out the exact circumstances surrounding the deaths.
They have interviewed "a huge number of people" and will continue to do so to piece together exactly what transpired.
However, individuals with information that will help gardaí understand what may have led to the deaths have yet to come forward.
Construction experts have been called in to assess the house, on the main street in Clonroche, and gardaí say they are liaising with any "agency, body or individual" who can assist.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed, as the bodies have not yet been released following pathologists' and coroners' examinations.
A postmortem confirmed Diarmuid and Lorraine died of single gunshot wounds. The cause of the children's deaths remains unknown. However, they did not die because of the fire or suffer physical trauma.
Gardaí have refused to comment on speculation that the children may have been sedated prior to the fire. The cause of their deaths is not likely to emerge until toxicology tests are completed.
Fr Richard Hayes, the priest in the nearby parish of Cloughbawn, said the mood within the community remains very difficult. "This has caused great sadness and everybody in the community is feeling the same way. It takes a considerable period to get over any of these kinds of incidents," he said.
Fr Hayes visited St Aidan's National School, where Mark and Julie were pupils, yesterday and said he was encouraged to see a good attendance as he believes it is important the children keep occupied at this difficult time.
A book of condolences has been opened at the town hall in New Ross, 16 km (10 miles) from the village of Clonroche.
Council Cathaoirleach Ingrid O'Brien (Labour) said she was amazed by the response and the number of people who have signed it in just more than 24 hours.
"People feel a need to express sympathy and support for the family, but we can't all knock on their front door. So there has been a big interest in the book of condolences since it opened."