A murder investigation is under way after the discovery of the bodies of twin nine-year-old brothers, Patrick and Thomas O’Driscoll, at their home in Charleville, Co Cork.

A third body, that of their older brother Jonathan, was found 14km away in Buttevant a short time later. Gardaí had been looking for him in connection with the two deaths.

The discovery of the bodies of the two boys was made at 5.15pm yesterday at their home in Deerpark outside Charleville. Two younger brothers, aged four and five, ran to a neighbour’s house and raised the alarm.

The boys were being looked after by Jonathan, who was in his 20s, while their parents Thomas Sr and Helen were away. It is understood the father is suffering from ill-health.

A car was seen leaving the scene a short time after the bodies of the boys were found. The twins received multiple stab wounds in a frenzied attack. They were found in separate rooms in the bungalow.

Neighbours alerted gardaí, who arrived to the house as word of the tragedy spread. Gardaí then contacted the children’s parents who were in Kilmallock in Co Limerick at the time.

The house was cordoned off and diversions were put in place as crowds began to gather.

The boys, pupils of Banogue National School on the main Charleville to Limerick road, were pronounced dead at the scene. A technical examination will be carried out this morning by Garda forensic experts. The State Pathologist’s Office was also notified.

A search then began for an older brother, who gardaí wanted to talk to in connection with the two deaths. The body of Jonathan O’Driscoll was found at 5.50pm in Buttevant, Co Cork, some 14km away.

Three boys walking by a river in an area known locally as ‘Old Castle’ raised the alarm. The body of the man, who was in his 20s, was found close to a car.

Gardaí at the scene in Mill Lane

An aunt said the family became aware of the tragedy at 5.20pm. “We’re all totally shocked,” she said, before being consoled by another family member.

There were emotional scenes outside the family home as the scale of the tragedy began to unfold.

Fr Tom Naughton, who attended the scene, said the community was numb. “Our hearts go out to the family at this tragic time. The community has them in our prayers and in our thoughts. We will accompany them in their darkest moments over the next few days and into the future.”

Local councillor Melissa Mullane said the whole community was in shock.

“This is a terrible tragedy resulting in a family being torn apart. All our sympathies are with them at this extremely sensitive time.”

As word of the tragedy spread, locals began to gather on the main street of Buttevant.

Some had just attended a funeral and first heard of the tragic deaths of two boys in Charleville on the radio before hearing a flurry of sirens tear through the village. Little did they realise the appalling story emerging from the nearby town had spread to their community.

“I’m sick since I heard it,” one woman said.

“I had heard the news, and the commotion as all the sirens went by outside the church but I had no idea it had anything to do with it,” said another.