Updated 9.40pm
THE BODIES OF a woman and child found in a Killorglin house have been removed to hospital as gardaí work on piecing together what led to their deaths.
The bodies of the woman, aged 27 years of age, and a girl aged 8 years of age were found at approximately 8.30pm yesterday.
The pair were discovered in a house in Langford Downs. RTÉ reports that the woman is named Jolanta Lubiene, and the young girl is her daughter Enrika, but the garda press office said it could not confirm any names.
This evening, the Board of Management, staff and pupils of Scoil Mhuire, Killorglin, said they:
are deeply shocked and saddened at the terrible tragedy that took place in our community, resulting in the sudden and untimely death of Enrika Lubyte and her mother. Enrika was a pupil in second class in our school.
Enrika was a beautiful child who was loved by all who knew her. She was friendly, kind, caring and considerate of others. She will be sadly missed by her fellow pupils and school staff.
The statement said the board is “conscious of the need for privacy for Enrika’s family at this difficult time”. “Our sympathy and thoughts are with them, their friends and with our community in Killorglin,” it said.
The school has implemented its Critical Incident Management Plan, and the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), members of the clergy and the diocesan catechetical team are supporting and advising staff at this difficult time.
RTÉ news reports that Jolante’s husband, Enrika’s father, lives in Sweden and has travelled to Ireland following the tragic events. Jolante’s sister lives in the Killorglin area and visited the home today.
Witnesses
Gardaí said this evening they are appealing for witnesses.
The state pathologist arrived at the scene this afternoon and has conducted a preliminary examination. The bodies of the deceased were removed to Tralee General Hospital, where a post mortem will be conducted this evening by Dr Bolster.
Gardaí are appealing to any persons who may have been in the area of Langford Downs estate over the weekend and who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in the estate to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6631222, the Garda Confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
It is believed they died in violent circumstances and gardaí are treating their deaths as suspicious.
Local Councillor Michael Cahill told TheJournal.ie that the pair lived in “a very quiet community” and that “the whole area is in a complete state of shock”.
Never before do I recall anything close to this happening in the Killorglin or Kerry area. [The mother] had worked locally and was fairly well-known locally. Her child was going to school.
He said the woman was “quite popular amongst those who had worked with her and befriended her” and that the event is “very tragic”.
“Our thoughts are with her family,” he said.
Cllr Cahill will be proposing a vote of sympathy at today’s council meeting.
Some of the residents were told to stay away from the park because their own home had been “blocked off”, said Cllr Cahill, adding that one family from Langford Downs had left to go to another part of Kerry until “things calm down” as they have a young child.
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