‘Man beats his brothers to death, then takes his own life’ near Mitchelstown, Co Cork, Gardai believes

A farmer killed his two brothers with an ax in a double murder horror before taking his own life, Gardai believes.

Detectives believe Johnny Hennessy, 59, attacked Willie, 66, and Paddy, 60, with the ax at the family farm near Mitchelstown, Co Cork.

It is understood that he then fled the scene in a van. His body was found in a river 5 kilometers away and sources say he committed suicide.

Neighbor and former Cork East TD Kevin O’Keeffe said: “It’s amazing what happened.”

A dispute over the land is believed to have led a farmer to murder his two brothers with an ax before committing suicide.

Detectives say Johnny Hennessy attacked Paddy, 60, and Willie, 66, near Mitchelstown, Co Cork, on Thursday night.

Detectives believe he then fled in a Toyota Corolla pickup when a massive manhunt began and was found dead in a river 5 km away. Sources said he took his own life.

One source stated: “It is understood that a dispute broke out over the small farm, it was over a portion of about six acres.”

The bodies of Paddy and Willie were found before midnight Thursday after officers received a call from someone who feared for their safety.

The Garda armed support unit was dispatched to the farm in Curraghgorm along with local officers. Paddy was found in a yard before Willie was discovered in a barn. They had serious injuries to the face and neck.

A major chase was launched and a national appeal was issued early yesterday morning to attempt to track down a red Toyota Corolla pickup.

The public was urged not to approach him or the driver, but to call 999. At that stage, 50 Gardai, including the armed support unit, dog unit and air support, participated in the hunt. At around 12 p.m., the helicopter spotted Hennessy’s body in the Funshion River and a few hours later the water unit retrieved it.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital where an autopsy will be performed. The bodies of the other two brothers remained at the farm until last night, where they were examined by state pathologist Dr. Margot Bolster. They were then transferred to CUH and their autopsies will take place today.

At the scene, Cllr Frank Roche told the Irish Mirror that the locals were “devastated”.

He said: “It’s scary to think that we have another one of these double murders, it’s a completely quiet area, this time yesterday you wouldn’t have seen almost anyone around here.

“People are absolutely devastated. I get phone calls daily about people who have problems with farms, people’s lives and their feelings are being seriously hurt. ” Fine Gael Cllr Kay Dawson echoed Mr. Roche saying that he does not “have the language to put the words” to horror.

She said, “You can’t get anything out of that because it just doesn’t make sense.

“Normally when you hear the news it is elsewhere, but this is our own community devastated by this tragedy.

“I don’t have the language to put the words into the sensation. Unbelievable, I think that’s the best way to describe it. It is a tight-knit community, a hard-working community and we are devastated. They were salt of the earth, they just went on with their daily life and interacted well. They were genuine, calm and kind people. It’s amazing to wake up today to hear that they are no longer with us.

“I am trapped by words and normally I wouldn’t be. It is a tragedy beyond belief and our understanding. “

Armed Gardai initially attended, as it was feared that a weapon might be involved, although there was no registered licensed firearm on the farm owned by Johnny Hennessy.

So far no notes or clues have been found, but Gardai believes the tensions may be related to a dispute over a section of the farm owned by one of the brothers.

Johnny and Willie were single and lived on the family farm, while Paddy, also known as Pa, was a separated father of two and lived in
Mitchelstown.

They were known as the “Saint” Hennessys and had a reputation for being hardworking and respectful.

They were big at sports and never drank, according to a friend who said both Willie and Johnny were left alone, while Pa was known as the outgoing. They are survived by a sister, while another brother, Jer, died in 2014. Superintendent Liam Geraghty urged anyone with information to come forward as they seek to confirm a motive.

At Mitchelstown Garda Station, he said: “Members of the public may have some information regarding interactions between the people involved at this time.

“Any information they may have, even if they think it is not relevant, they should contact us and we will decide if it is relevant to our investigation. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this.
incident.”

He added that gardai has been talking to relatives and a liaison officer has been helping them cope.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Shortly before midnight on Thursday, the Gardai of Mitchelstown were alerted to an incident at a farmhouse and land in Curragorm.

“Local uniformed and plainclothes officers attended the scene supported by Armed Support Units.

“A man in his 60s was discovered dead in the corral.

“After a new search, the body of a second man in his 60s was also found in a shed.

Gardai began the search for a third man, also related, believed to be driving a red Toyota Corolla car / truck, 03 WW 1556. This car was later found by Gardai parked on an unconnected farm in Killacluig, Mitchelstown. This car has been removed from the scene for a technical examination.

“Gardai discovered the body of a man in a river in a remote location nearby. Research is underway to recover and identify this body.

“Several scenes have been preserved for technical examination.

“The bodies of the two males remain in place.

“We appeal to anyone with information on the incidents that occurred last night to contact the investigating Gardai at Mitchelstown Garda station 025 84833, the confidential Garda line 1800 666 111 or at any Garda station.”

Timeline of a murder spree

12.15 a.m. M .: The bodies of the two Hennessy brothers are discovered on the farm outside Mitchelstown, Co Cork by Gardai early Friday. One body is found in a courtyard and a second body is discovered in a shed.

8 a.m.: Gardai makes a public appeal as they search for information on a red Toyota Corolla pickup truck, license plate 03-WW-1556. People are advised to call 999 immediately if they see the vehicle and are warned not to approach the vehicle or the driver.

9.45am – A search begins after the Toyota Corolla pickup is found in the Killacluig area, about 5 miles from the tragic scene.

11:55 am: The body of a third Hennessy brother is discovered in the Funshion River in the Killacluig area. This location is less than 1 km from the abandoned truck and about 6 km from the grim scene where the two bodies were found.