Three found dead in Mitchelstown: Hennessy brothers described as 'quiet men'

Willie Hennessy pictured with his local GAA club Ballygiblin in 1979; Paddy (Pat) Hennessey pictured with his local GAA club Ballygiblin in 1984. Pictures: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
SHOCK and sadness has consumed Mitchelstown following the deaths of three brothers on the outskirts of the North Cork town in a suspected murder-suicide.
The three Hennessy brothers, Johnny, 59, Paddy, 60, and Willie, 66 were described by locals yesterday as "quiet men".
Johnny and Willie were both single and lived on the family farm. Paddy was a separated father-of-two who was living nearby.
Shortly before midnight, Gardaí in Mitchelstown were alerted to an incident at a farmhouse and lands at Curragorm, Mitchelstown.
A male in his 60s was discovered deceased in the farmyard and following a further search, the body of a second male in his 60s was also discovered in a shed on the farmyard.
More than 50 gardaí from a number of different districts and units were been involved in the "significant" operation.
On Friday morning, Gardaí commenced a search for a third male, also related, believed to be driving a Red Toyota Corolla car/van.
of the public with information were asked to call 999 immediately and urged to not approach the vehicle.
The car was found by Gardaí parked at an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, Mitchelstown.
After 12pm on Friday, An Garda Síochána confirmed that they had discovered the body of a male in a river in a remote location nearby.
A number of scenes were preserved for technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau on Friday.
Dr Margot Bolster, Locum Assistant State Pathologist attended the scene and post mortems will be carried out at Cork University Hospital tomorrow.
A Garda appeal for information has been issued and anyone with any information on the incidents is asked to investigating Gardaí at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Mary Fitzgerald, from Ballylanders said she knew them to see.
“They used to sell blocks of wood around our area. I hadn’t seen them really since Covid, but they were well known, I think everyone would know them as local people.
“They were very nice, harmless. I don't know really what happened, it's shocking, they always seemed to have got on well. They were nearly always together, they seemed to get on great.”
An Garda Síochána have discovered the body of male in a river located near the scene where the bodies of two men discovered in North Cork on Thursday night.
Shortly before midnight, Gardaí in Mitchelstown were alerted to an incident at a farmhouse and lands at Curragorm, Mitchelstown.
A male in his 60s was discovered deceased in the farmyard and following a further search, the body of a second male in his 60s was also discovered in a shed on the farmyard.
Both males are related.
On Friday morning, Gardaí commenced a search for a third male, also related, believed to be driving a Red Toyota Corolla Carvan, 03 WW 1556.
of the public with any information were asked to call 999 immediately and urged to not approach the vehicle.
The car was found by Gardaí parked at an unconnected farmhouse at Killacluig, Mitchelstown.
After 12pm on Friday, An Garda Síochána confirmed that they had discovered the body of male in a river in a remote location nearby.
The men have been named locally as of the Hennessy family.
A number of scenes have been preserved for technical examination by the Garda Technical Bureau today.
Dr Margot Bolster, Locum Assistant State Pathologist will attend the scene and post mortems will be carried out at Cork University Hospital.
Local Councillor Frank O’ Flynn said that locals are struggling to come to with the tragedy.
“The people in the locality are shocked by this latest tragedy.
“It’s hard to come to with. I feel very sad for the family and the people of the locality and our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very sad time.” Councillor Kay Dawson also noted the shock in the community.
“Words wouldn’t describe the shock that is in Mitchelstown this morning. It’s unbelievable stuff,” she said.
An Garda Síochána appeal to any person with information on the incidents that occurred last night to investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.