Asbestos found at the site of yesterday’s fatal house fire in Co Wexford has led to the temporary suspension of both the post mortem examinations and the forensic search of the house.
A coffin for a child is brought into the house in Clonroche where the family of four died yesterday. Photograph: Bryan O'Brien
A garda spokesperson said the levels of asbestos were determine and additional personal protection equipment was issued for officers this evening.
The Crime Scene Investigation of the two-storey house in Clonroche is expected to resume tomorrow morning.
It is understood that a decision regarding the post mortem examinations on the bodies of Dermot (41) and Lorraine Flood (38) along with their two children, Mark (6) and Julie (5), will be reviewed in the morning.
A Garda spokesman said last night that all four had injuries consistent with being in a fire, but that the two adults had other injuries beyond that.
However, he said until the results of a full post mortem examination had been carried out, he could not detail what those injuries were.
Neither of the children showed signs of any other injury.
The spokesman confirmed that a licensed firearm was found in the house and there was no sign of a break-in. It is understood nobody else is being sought over the deaths.
Gardaí refused to be drawn on whether or not the firearm had been discharged.
The fire broke out at around 5.30am yesterday morning. A neighbour raised the alarm and fire crews from Enniscorthy attended the scene. Members of the public tried to reach the family but were beaten back by the flames. Fire crews managed to put out the fire.
The bodies of Lorraine Flood and her daughter were found in upstairs bedrooms, Mark's body was discovered on the landing of the two-storey house. Mr Flood's body was found in a downstairs living room.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Declan Gilsenan carried out a preliminary examination of the scene. The bodies were removed from the house yesterday evening. Post mortem examinations began at the Dublin City Morgue in Marino this morning.
Norma Doyle, principal of St Aidan's National School in their home village of Clonroche, said the tight-knit community was struggling to come to terms with the deaths.
"We are all devastated," she said.
"We are all struggling to come to terms with this dreadful tragedy — our school has lost two beautiful students.
"They were happy, bubbly children and we will miss them dreadfully."
Counsellors and local clergy will be at St Aidan's tomorrow to support Mark and Julie's classmates and parents affected by the tragedy.
Additional reporting PA