The bodies of two men have been discovered on neighbouring farms in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
One of the men, 71-year-old George Rothwell, was found at a farmhouse in Ballycormac after the fire brigade responded to a report of a fire at 4am.
It is understood Mr Rothwell died from gunshot wounds and a firearm was found nearby.
The body of the other man, Michael Jordan, who was 51 and Mr Rothwell's brother-in-law, was discovered at 9am in a building on an adjoining farm.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis has carried out a preliminary examination of both scenes.
The bodies of the two men have been removed to Naas General Hospital where post mortem examinations are due to be carried out tomorrow.
A number of livestock also died in the blaze, which was brought under control by three units of Carlow Fire Brigade
