A MAN CHARGED with murdering his wife and two young grandchildren in an attack in rural New South Wales on Monday emigrated to Australia on an Irish passport about 30 years ago.
John Walsh (69), a retired aircraft painter who lived in the small town of Cowra, about three hours west of Sydney, was arrested in a neighbouring town about six hours after the attack.
There are conflicting reports about where exactly Mr Walsh is from. Australian newspapers have quoted sources saying he is originally from Dublin, while other reports say he is from Northern Ireland. The Irish Times understands that he emigrated to Australia on an Irish passport.
On Monday afternoon Mr Walsh’s police officer daughter, Shelley, was attacked with an axe after returning to her parents’ home to collect her children.
Mr Walsh and his Aberdeen-born wife, Jean (52), cared for their two grandchildren while Shelley was at work. She suffered serious head wounds in the attack. The bodies of her sons Kevin (7) and Jaime (5) were found in the house.
A postmortem revealed that one of the children had been drowned, while Mrs Walsh and the other child had been killed from injuries inflicted using an axe.
Neighbours said Mr Walsh was a loving father and grandfather who had helped care for his grandchildren for years. They said he became withdrawn several years ago when his 24-year-old son committed suicide. Australian media reported that he had dementia. Mr Walsh made a brief court appearance to face three murder charges and one of attempted murder.
The Department of Foreign Affairs would not comment, but it is understood Mr Walsh has not requested consular assistance.