The bodies of four women found dead in a house in Leixlip, Co Kildare, last year were in a state of "considerable decomposition", a coroner's court at Naas heard yesterday.
The inquest was into the death of twins Brigid Ruth Mulrooney and Catherine Mulrooney (52); their sister, Josephine (47); and their aunt, Frances (83).
Their bodies were found at Rinawade Grove, Leixlip, on July 12th.
Det Insp Tom O'Loughlin said when he went to the scene with other gardai he saw three bodies in the sitting room of the three-bedroom, semi-detached house and one in the kitchen.
The owner of the house, Mr Trevor Byrnes, said he leased it to the Mulrooneys for £600 per month. The Eastern Health Board paid £480 towards the rent.
He entered the house with some difficulty around 12.05 p.m. on July 12th and discovered the bodies. He immediately called the gardai. Mr Byrne said he made numerous attempts to contact the women but failed and on June 23rd last wrote them a letter asking them to leave the house. The registered letter came back undelivered.
Ms Geraldine Marry, a social welfare inspector, said she became concerned when she visited the house three times in April and could get no reply. She said she squeezed a letter between the door and the frame on April 27th. The letter box was sealed, she added.
The inquest continues today.