Clare community shocked after "well-known" grandparents, 50s, found dead in home

Joe and Claire Collins, the married couple who was found dead at a residence in Killinaboy, Co Clare on Thursday, November 9, will be laid to rest on Monday, November 13.

"The death has occurred unexpectedly of Joe and Claire Collins, Crossard, Kilnaboy," a notice on RIP.ie said on Friday.

"They will be sadly missed by their loving daughters Sara and Tara, Sara's partner Michael, and their cherished grandson Rian," as well as other family members, the notice said.

Joe and Claire Collins will be reposing in St. Brigid's Church in Corofin from 5 pm on Sunday, November 12, with prayers at 7:30 pm.

A requiem mass, which will be livestreamed on the Imeall Boirne Parishes Facebook page, will be held at 11 am on Monday, November 13, followed by cremation service at Shannon Crematorium at 2:00 pm.

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Claire Collins and Joe Collins. (RIP.ie)

Gardaí said on Thursday that they were called to a domestic residence in Killinaboy at approximately 2:30 pm where a man and a woman aged in their 50s, who are known to each other, were found deceased.

According to RTÉ, the alarm was raised by a family friend on Thursday. The body of a man was found outside the bungalow, while the body of a woman was discovered in the house.

The scene was preserved for an examination by the Garda National Technical Bureau, Gardaí said.

A Family Liaison Officer was appointed to the family of the deceased, while a Senior Investigating Officer was appointed and an Incident Room was established at Ennis Garda Station.

On Friday, Gardaí confirmed that the bodies had been removed from the scene and conveyed to the morgue at University Hospital Limerick.

Post-mortem examinations were performed by Assistant State Pathologist Dr. Margot Bolster on Friday; results are not being released for operational reasons.

As of Friday evening, the scene remained preserved, and technical examinations were ongoing.

Gardaí said on Friday evening that their primary focus at the time was the preparation of a file for the Coroner. They also said they were not looking for any other individual in relation to this incident at this time.

Gardaí in Co Clare continued to appeal to anyone who may have information to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

RTÉ reported on Friday morning that there was "widespread shock" in the local area as news of the deaths of the "well-known" couple spread on Thursday.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Killeen told RTE Radio's Morning Ireland on Friday: "There's a huge, deep sense of bewilderment and sadness in the area at this heartbreaking news.

"Huge shock that such a tragedy would come to our door and our community here in north Clare."

Killeen said the couple would have been known well in the "tight-knit" community.

"The shock is great," he added.

Dolmen Cycling Club in Co Clare offered its condolences on social media on Friday.

"It is hard to imagine our spins without Joe," the club said.