A man and a woman who were found dead at a house in the village of Irishtown in Co Mayo have been named locally as Tom and Kitty Fitzgerald.
The bodies of the married couple were found along with a younger man who had serious head injuries.
Mr Fitzgerald was aged in his 70s and Ms Fitzgerald was in her 60s.
The injured man, believed to be in his late 30s, was taken to University Hospital Galway.
Gardaí were called to the scene shortly after 3pm when the alarm was raised by a family acquaintance.
The house is located at Knockadoon, a short distance from the village of Irishtown, which is about halfway between Tuam and Claremorris.
@rtenews scene at Knockadoon where bodies of elderly couple were discovered earlier today pic.twitter.com/F1x8W6495M
— TERESA MANNION (@TeresaMannion) November 1, 2016
There is widespread shock in the area as details of the incident emerged. One local described Mr Fitzgerald as a pillar of the community who had been involved in a number of voluntary organisations for many decades.
The couple were very active in the Church of the Holy Family and St Oliver in Irishtown. Parish Priest Fr Martin O'Connor described them as one of the nicest couples you could meet and said they were very well regarded locally.
The scene has been preserved, pending a full technical examination. The State Pathologist has been notified and is expected to carry out preliminary post-mortem examinations.
Gardaí have appealed to anyone who may have information about this afternoon's incident to come forward.
At this stage, detectives are keeping an open mind on what transpired at the house.
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