Ireland Man shoots dead partner and her son in Kerry, then himself
On or about 7 September 2021, the bodies of Eileen O'Sullivan (56), a woman, and her son Jamie O'Sullivan (24), a man, were found in their bedrooms at the family home in Lixnaw, Co Kerry, each with single shotgun wounds fired at close range. The suspect, Mossie O'Sullivan (63), a man and Eileen's partner and Jamie's father, was found dead outside the house, near a shotgun licensed in his name. The coroner returned unlawful killing verdicts for Eileen and Jamie and a suicide verdict for Mossie O'Sullivan. The latest development is the Kerry Coroner's Court inquest, reported on 31 May 2023, which heard the deaths had a colossal impact on relatives, neighbours and the Lixnaw community.
- Reported1 Jun
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man shot dead his partner, Eileen O'Sullivan, and her son, Jamie O'Sullivan, and then turned the gun on himself.
- Eileen O'Sullivan was 56 and Jamie O'Sullivan was 24.
- The suspect, Mossie O'Sullivan, was 63 and was Eileen's partner and Jamie's father.
- Where
- The incident happened at the family home in Lixnaw, Co Kerry.
- Eileen's and Jamie's bodies were found in their bedrooms, and Mossie O'Sullivan's body was found outside the house.
- When
- The bodies were found on 7 September 2021.
- Cause
- Eileen and Jamie died from single shotgun wounds fired at close range, and Eileen was shot in the upper arm and chest.
- Weapon
- A shotgun licensed in Mossie O'Sullivan's name was found on the ground near his body.
- Investigation
- The firearm had been discharged four times, and four empty cartridges were recovered, two from Eileen's bedroom.
- In court
- The coroner returned verdicts of unlawful killing for Eileen and Jamie O'Sullivan.
- The coroner, Helen Lucey, returned a verdict of suicide for Mossie O'Sullivan.
- Other details
- The inquest heard the deaths had a colossal impact on relatives, neighbours and the wider Lixnaw community.
- Charges
- No arrest or charge is reported in the articles.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA murder-suicide incident in which an entire family was wiped out occurred in Lixnaw, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- whatEileen and Jamie O’Sullivan’s bodies were found in their bedrooms at the family home. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMossie O’Sullivan’s body was found outside the house. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA man shot dead his partner and her son. (extra.ie)
- whereThe incident happened in Lixnaw, Co Kerry. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident is reported in Kerry. (extra.ie)
- whenThe bodies were found on 7 September 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- causeEileen and Jamie died from single wounds from a shotgun fired at close range. (irishtimes.com)
- causeEileen O’Sullivan was shot in the upper arm and chest, and she died from these wounds. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA shotgun licensed in Mossie O’Sullivan’s name was found on the ground near his body. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponA gun was used. (extra.ie)
- investigationThe firearm had been discharged four times, and four empty cartridges were recovered, two from Eileen’s bedroom. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe coroner returned verdicts of unlawful killing for Eileen and Jamie. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe coroner returned a verdict of suicide for Mossie O’Sullivan. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe man then turned the gun on himself. (extra.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 1 Jun2023Kerry Murder Suicide: Man Shot Dead His Partner And Her Son, Then Turned Gun On Himself
Only the headline carries case facts; the article body is template code with no names, date or other details.
victimvictimsuspect, male - 31 May2023Murder-suicide incident continues to have ‘colossal’ impact, Kerry inquest told
Inquest report giving the coroner's verdicts, the pathologist's and garda evidence on the shooting, and the impact on the community.
victim, Eileen O'Sullivan, 56, female, irish (judged from name)Eileen O'Sullivanvictim, Jamie O'Sullivan, 24, male, irish (judged from name)Jamie O'Sullivansuspect, Mossie O'Sullivan, 63, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mossie O'Sullivan