Grim find in brothers’ home: Carer Dan died first & helpless Liam starved to death by his side

A TRAGIC OAP is believed to have starved to death beside his dead brother who was no longer there to care for him.

The remains of Dan and William McCarthy, who were both deaf and in their 70s, were discovered in an upstairs bedroom at home in Millrose Estate in Bluebell, Dublin.

Gardai believe that Dan, who cared for his beloved brother, died a number of weeks ago.

Vulnerable William, also known as Liam, may have then died from starvation as he was unable to fend for himself.

Officers entered the house on Monday night and made the grim discovery after a friend of the brothers raised the alarm.

A source revealed the pal had grown increasingly concerned at having been unable to contact either sibling over the weekend.

The source said: “This woman was a loyal friend to both men but had not seen the elder brother Dan, who suffered from ill-health, for a period of weeks.”

It is understood that the woman called to their home last week and was told by William that Dan was sick and couldn’t come to the door — but he may already have died.

The source said: “Even their friend who called regularly never got past the front door.

“It’s like they lived in their own little world and kept the rest of it at a distance.”

A stunned neighbour yesterday described the brothers as “the two most inoffensive and harmless people you could ever meet”.

The neighbour said: “We have lived beside them for 30 years and know next to nothing about them.

“I know they were deaf but even aside from that, they really didn’t engage with any of us neighbours.”

They added: “I would always smile and give them a wave but more often than not they wouldn’t even look your way.”