NOTHING HAS emerged in the backgrounds of the young family of four killed in Wexford at the weekend to indicate a motive for their deaths, according to investigating gardaí.
Gardaí have ruled out third-party involvement and are working on the theory that the deaths of Diarmuid Flood (41), his wife Lorraine (38), and children Mark (6) and Julie (5), early on Saturday morning were the result of a murder-suicide.
Postmortems and the Garda's technical examination of the scene had to be suspended yesterday after asbestos, believed to be from roof tiles, was found in the Flood family's burnt home in Clonroche.
The postmortems will resume this morning. Gardaí have also sourced the breathing apparatus needed to resume their inspection at first light today.
Prayers were said for the family and their relatives at Sunday Mass in the local St Clement's Catholic Church in Cloughbawn. Fr Richard Redmond said the deaths had given the community "heavy hearts and a great sense of sadness".
The funerals are expected to take place later this week.
Mr Flood, from a well-known GAA family, was a successful and popular businessman in Clonroche. He and Ms Flood were directors of Seán Flood Water Pumps Ltd, a water filtration business.
Ms Flood was a fitness instructor and represented Waterford in the Rose of Tralee competition some years ago.
Counselling services will be on offer in Clonroche National School today, where the Flood children were pupils. School principal Norma Doyle described the children as "beautiful" and "bubbly".
The remains of the family of four were removed on Saturday night to the State mortuary in Marino in Dublin for postmortem examination.
Ms Flood's body was found in bed in the couple's upstairs bedroom and her husband in one of the reception rooms downstairs. Julie was found in her bed while Mark was on the landing of the house.
A legally held shotgun, owned by a third party, was found at the scene. The weapon was lent to Mr Flood some years ago and kept in his house. The licence was maintained by the original owner.
Mr Flood's remains and those of his son had sustained burn injuries. However, Ms Flood and her daughter's remains were almost untouched by the fire.
Ms Flood had injuries that appeared to have been caused by gunfire. Gardaí are satisfied Mr Flood also died of a single gunshot wound. The children had not been shot and had no injuries.
Reliable Garda sources said the first two days of the investigation had unearthed nothing that might indicate a family in crisis. The Floods were said to have been a popular, outgoing family with no known money worries, relationship difficulties, substance abuse issues or any history of mental illness. The couple's phone records will also be studied. Gardaí are aware of local reports that Mr Flood had consulted a doctor in recent days for stress-related difficulties and that a phone call was made from their house at about 5.30am on Saturday.
