The married couple found dead in their Irishtown home on Tuesday may have died as the result of a murder-suicide, yet to be confirmed by a post-mortem.
An investigation has been launched to ascertain whether pensioner Tom Fitzgerald murdered his wife, Kitty, before taking his own life.
The bodies of the couple were discovered by a visiting relative, who raised the alarm.
The couple’s adult adopted son, Paul, who was found at the scene with severe head injuries inflicted by a blunt instrument, is currently under observation at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Pat Diskin, Garda Chief Superintendent from Castlebar Garda Station, is heading the investigation, and expects the post-mortems will reveal answers to what happened during the fatal incident.
“I want to make an appeal for any witnesses that may be able to assist the investigation, and in particular anybody who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious between Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon at 3pm, to contact Gardaí.”
Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis will begin examining the bodies Thursday afternoon, his work having been delayed due to the amount of suspicious deaths all over the country this week.
Mourners gathered at the couple’s home on Wednesday to pay their respects. Prayers were led by parish priest Father Martin O’Connor just before 3pm. The bodies were then moved to Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.