Young Sisters Found Dead In Cork

Gardaí are investigating after two children and their father - all from a Co Cork fishing village - died in separate incidents.

The man, who was in his 40s, died when his car crashed into a tree and burst into flames on a road just outside Ballycotton on Tuesday morning.

It is understood the children's mother had already left for work in Cork city by the time the man was killed in the car crash with the police travelling to the city to tell her of the deaths.

Their two young daughters have since been found dead in their house by a family friend who found the girls, both under the age of 10, around 10.30am. The friend contacted Gardaí to raise the alarm.

Officers are currently investigating whether the deaths were connected and the office of the state pathologist was contacted this morning after a doctor pronounced the children dead at the scene.

The assistant state pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, was due at the scene to carry out preliminary examinations. It is expected the bodies will be removed to Cork University Hospital later today.

Gardaí would not reveal this morning where in the house the little girls' bodies were discovered but said family members were being contacted this morning.

Two units of the county fire service attended the scene of the collision and officers in Midleton are dealing with both incidents.

(DW/BMcC)