Gardaí believe a married couple whose bodies were found together in their rural home earlier this year died of natural causes.

Initially, it was believed Paul and Morag Kavanagh may have been overcome as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The couple, who were in their mid 70s and early 60s were found at their home outside Granard, Co Longford in early January.

Investigators had at first focused on the possibility the pair had been accidentally poisoned.

However, post mortem results showed the cause of death for the husband and wife was in fact natural causes, even though they appeared to have passed away within hours of each other.

A garda spokesperson confirmed that inquiries into the double tragedy more than eight months later were now closed.

"Death was natural causes and no garda investigation (was) required," said the spokesperson.

The retired couple, who lived in a remote bungalow in Killasonna on the outskirts of Granard in north Longford, had been married for more than four decades.

The pair, who had two adult children, were described as being very sociable who loved to have others around them the Irish Independent reports.

"They were as thick as thieves from the start and both lived varied lives," said Ms Kavanagh’s brother, Andrew at the pair’s joint funeral service.

"Wherever Paul went, Morag went and vice versa. They were a very sociable couple and loved to have others around them.

"They were generous and would help anyone out if needed. There were no questions and no judgement, just a warm welcome and the offer of a cup of tea or a drink."

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.