A couple whose two young children died in a house fire in Dublin in 2017 have been found dead at their home in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland.
Bridgid “Biddy” O’Brien, in her 40s, and James McGinn, in his 30s, were discovered at their residence in the Cois Cairn estate on Old Connaught Avenue on Wednesday morning, October 21.
According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, emergency services were alerted shortly after 8am. O’Brien’s body was found inside the house, while McGinn was found in the front garden.
Gardaí, Ireland’s national police service, said the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unexplained as investigators await post-mortem examination results to establish the causes of death.
Reports indicate that McGinn had sustained injuries, including what appeared to be knife wounds, while O’Brien showed no obvious signs of violence.
Investigators have said there is currently no evidence of third-party involvement, although they are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The deaths come nine years after the couple lost their children, Jordan, four, and Holly, who was three, in a fire at an apartment complex in Clondalkin, west Dublin, on March 8, 2017.
O’Brien survived the blaze but sustained severe burns and long-term injuries. The fire also claimed the lives of her cousin, Annemarie O’Brien, and Annemarie’s young daughter, while she was pregnant.
The incident had a profound impact on the family, with the loss of the children remaining a significant tragedy for their relatives and the wider community.
Gardaí have established an incident room at Dún Laoghaire Garda Station and appointed a senior investigating officer to lead inquiries. Family liaison officers have also been assigned to support the relatives.
The investigation remains ongoing, with post-mortem findings expected to help determine the next steps.
