'Everybody feels for the families concerned' - senior garda

A senior garda has told press at Ballyjamesduff that they are not looking for anyone else in connection to the 'grim' discovery of five deaths in one family. 
Gardaí are investigating the discovery of the bodies of five members of a family at a house at Oakdene, Barconey, Ballyjamesduff today. The discovery of the body of a man in his 40s, his wife, a woman in her 30s and their three sons aged 13, 11 and 6 was made at the house this morning.
Assistant Commissioner John O'Driscoll explained in a press briefing at 5pm that a technical examination of the Oakdene property continues.
'All in the community, at a national level, but more particularly locally, everybody feels for the families concerned. And all we can do is help the surviving members of the families and help them to deal with the grief and this tragic circumstances.'
The family were seen in the community on Sunday.
He explained that two of the deceased were found in downstairs rooms, and three were discovered upstairs in bedrooms.
Asked if he could confirm this is a murder suicide?
Asst Comm O'Disscoll replied: 'What we can confirm is that we are not looking for anyone else. We believe all the answers are within that house, therefore the most likely scenario is that one person in that house may have caused the deaths of others. All the circumstances will be explored, but as it stands at the moment - that is the position.'
He ruled out the use of a firearm in the incident.
'There is no evidence that a firearm was used. In the course of the technical examination - which continues, and will continue for some time, we will have a more definitive answer as to the exact cause of death. A number of objects that were found in the house were subject to the detailed examination, but until that examination is complete we are not in a position to say the precise cause of death.'
He further outlined how the gardaí were alerted.
'At 10.45am a call was received at Monaghan garda station, as a result of the suspicion of a particular person being raised, having called to the house in question. 'Two members of the Garda Siochána called to that house, and entered the house and made the grim discovery and obviously, upon finding five deceased people, immediately a full investigation has been launched. We are continuing to liaise with anyone who can be assistance to us in determining all the circumstances surrounding this case.'

Dr Alan Curtis, pathologist has arrived on the scene.