GARDAÍ ARE continuing to investigate the cause of death of two elderly women near the town of Glenties in west Donegal.
Postmortems were carried out at Letterkenny General Hospital yesterday, with early speculation that the two may have been overcome by a gas leak.
The bodies of Annie Gallagher (84), a widow, and her neighbour, Sally McDyre (79), were found in Ms Gallagher’s home about 6.30pm on Thursday.
Both women were from the Derries area just outside Glenties on the Donegal town road.
Initial investigations suggest that there may have been a gas leak. It is understood the person who discovered the bodies noticed a smell of gas in the house.
Yesterday, Ms McDyre’s niece Mary Nichols described her aunt as “a strong woman who loved to dance”. Just days away from her 80th birthday, Ms McDyre did not like to sit at home, Ms Nichols said. She spent her days visiting, and often took the bus to Letterkenny or Derry where she loved to buy clothes.
On Thursday, she went to visit Ms Gallagher. The two had been friends for a long time.
Ms McDyre had lived in England for many years.
“She came back about four years ago to the old home house,” Ms Nichols added. “They got it fixed up and she’s been living there and starting her life over again, you know, as an elderly person. She still has the old friends she had since she was young.”
At about lunchtime on Thursday, neighbours saw Ms McDyre make her way to Ms Gallagher’s house. It was Ms Gallagher’s daughter-in-law who arrived to discover the scene later that day.
The close-knit community around the Glenties area was still trying to come to terms with the tragedy yesterday evening.
Fianna Fáil councillor and mayor of Co Donegal Brendan Byrne expressed his sympathy to the families of the women and the local community of Glenties.
“My thoughts are very much with the families at this most tragic of times. It is important to be vigilant, especially with more senior members of the community . . .
“Events like this cast a long shadow over the whole area and county, at times like this,” he said. “It’s just terrible and I was truly sorry to hear of what happened.”
Local Fianna Fáil councillor David Alcorn said: “I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to all concerned. It is a very, very tragic event in such a small, close-knit community.
“It is a cause of great sadness throughout the area.”
Last night funeral arrangements were yet to be finalised.