Donegal is still in shock following what Gardai believe was a murder suicide of a father and son in Letterkenny.
Damien and Daniel Duffy were found dead at their bungalow home at Windyhall around 2pm yesterday.
Mr Duffy Snr, 88, was found inside the house while it is believed his son, aged 50, was found in a car at the rear of the property.
The double-death has sent shockwaves through the local community where the family were well-known and highly-respected.
Both men were described as “extremely intelligent and engaging” by neighbours.
Mr Duffy Snr was head of the ESB in Letterkenny for a number of years.
His son was regarded as a computer expert and often worked in a self-contained flat at the back of the pebble-dashed bungalow.
It is understood a neighbour who called to the house around 2pm yesterday made the gruesome discovery.
Gardai immediately sealed off the area.
The services of the State Pathologist have been requested and the scene was preserved.
The Garda Technical bureau have also been notified and the bodies of both remain at the scene.
The family’s petdog wandering around at the scene of the tragic murder suicide at Windy Hall, Letterkenny where Daniel Duffy and his son Damien lost their lives. (NW Newspix)
It is believed that Mr Duffy Snr had not been seen since a week or so ago.
Gardai are now trying to determine when he actually died.
Neighbours of the men said they were both “witty and engaging” and that Daniel simply “idolised” his son Damien.
Damien recently graduated with first class honours in Computing and had planned to do Masters next year.
Both were huge Manchester United fans and were both season ticket holders often going to matches at Old Trafford.
They also loved snooker and were very creative, often working on building projects together.
Daniel’s wife and Damien’s mother, Christine passed away in 2009 and the two men lived in the house together.
The family suffered another tragedy two years ago when Mr Duffy’s daughter Caroline (Callaghan) passed away from cancer aged just 48 years.
Another remaining daughter Anne-Marie Giles lives nearby in Killylastin.
The scene of the tragic murder suicide at Windy Hall, Letterkenny where Daniel Duffy and his son Damien lost their lives. (NW Newspix)
A neighbour and lifelong friend said “Daniel and Damien were two of the finest people, hard working, highly intelligent, creative and very entertaining. This is incomprehensible. I am devastated and will miss them terribly.’
This afternoon locals passing the family home blessed themselves as they slowed down as a mark of respect to the tragic family.
A number stopped in a bid to catch the family’s pet dog which ran down the road from the scene of the tragedy.
A Christmas wreath hung from the front door of the bungalow while a Christmas tree stood in the garage window at the rear of the house.
Two large satelite dishes were erected onto the garage which were believed to be part of Mr Duffy Junior’s work with technology.
Local county councillor Gerry McMonagle, who lives nearby, appealed fro anybody with any information to contact the Gardai especially if they saw Mr Duffy Snr in recent days.
“It’s an awful tragic incident all the more so when it’s father and son and we are just two days away form Christmas.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the extended family at this time.”
