An inquest has returned a verdict of unlawful killing in the death of Ciara Dunne and her two children at their home in Monageer in 2007.
Adrian Dunne, his wife Ciara, and their two daughters, five-year-old Leanne and three-year-old Shania, were found dead in their house in April 2007.
The jury of four men and two women returned a verdict of suicide in the case of Adrian Dunne.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said that when the bodies were found, the children were dressed in pyjamas and clutching soft toys.
Dr Curtis said Ciara Dunne had suffered mild blunt force trauma to the head and may have been unconscious before being strangled.
He concludes that Lean and Shania died as a result of asphyxia due to smothering, Ciaran Dunne died as a result of strangulation and Adrian Dunne died as a result of hanging.
No drugs were detected in the bodies of the family, but there was a low level of alcohol detected in Adrian Dunne's blood.
Coroner Dr Sean Nixon said funeral undertaker Joanne Cooney should be commended for her actions in raising alert after the family made funeral arrangements for the family.
He said that it should be noted that both Ciara and Adrian were in agreement with the plans being made.
Dr Nixon said the couple had a perception that there was a better life somewhere else, he said they were loving parents who thought they were bringing their children to a better place in heaven.
He added that there was a deep love for the children and their lives were taken in a misguided belief.
Inquest evidence
Earlier, nurse Margaret Frayne had described 'a happy family that was caring and loving' and said both Ciara and Adrian Dunne were keen to listen to advice on how to care for their children.
The public health nurse also told the inquest how the mother of Ciara Dunne had contacted her to ask how her daughter and her family were.
She had assured Mrs O'Brien that Ciara and Adrian were loving parents and were taking good care of the children.
Local Curate Fr Richard Redmond told how on he visited the family on the Friday of the weekend they died and spent two hours in their home.
He raised concerns about them having made funeral plans but they insisted it was normal, they said that if they were killed in a car accident they needed to be prepared.
Fr Redmond said he and the undertaker expressed their concerns about the funeral plans to the Dunnes, he told the inquest that Ciara asked him if he thought they would harm the children.
Garda Sgt Brendan Moran told the inquest that he found the bodies of the family at their home at Moin Rua in Monageer.
Earlier this month, a Government report did not discover any single definitive motive behind the deaths.
The Minister for Children has revealed that Brendan Drumm is the only person in the HSE who has had access to the full report into the deaths.
The report was criticised as several recommendations were blacked out.
Barry Andrews has told the Dáil there is no cover-up and that the redactions followed legal advice.
