The tragedy which struck a quiet residential area in Mullinavat on Saturday had left no trace by yesterday afternoon.
Gardai, having concluded their forensic investigations at the scene, had departed, leaving only an empty bungalow to remind neighbours of the terrible event that had just taken place.
For two weeks, the rented bungalow in Deerpark had been occupied by Jacqueline Costello and her three young sons, Robert (7), Martin (3) and Stephen (18 months). The house is one of seven or eight detached homes in a secluded area just off the main Dublin-Waterford road, a few hundred yards south of the village.
Mr John Lannon and his wife, Eileen, who also live in Deerpark, said the Costellos appeared to be a normal, quiet family. "I only saw her once," said Eileen. "She was walking with the children, and had one of them in a buggy and was holding one by the hand. You'd see the children playing outside the house.
"We didn't know what was going on yesterday (Saturday). One of the kids came in and said there's an ambulance down below. It was only later we found what had happened," she said.
"It's the last thing you expect to happen in a place like this," said her husband, echoing the sense of shock felt throughout the area. Another neighbour said she had never spoken to the Costellos, who appeared to keep to themselves. "All I know is that man came here yesterday and asked to use the phone, as there was an emergency. He called the ambulance from here."
Other neighbours said a number of people had lived previously in the Costellos' bungalow, which was the only rented house in Deerpark. "You'd never really get to know the people the way you'd know everyone else. It's a terrible thing to happen on your doorstep and everyone is very upset."