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Murder-suicide couple to share same funeral mass
Marie Quigley
Pictured is the house where Gardai have discovered the body of a woman
Gardai investigate the discovery of a body in Co Louth
Gardai investigate the discovery of a body of a woman in her sixties at a house in Rathmore, Hackballscross near Dundalk
Gardai investigate a fatal car crash near Castlebellingham on the M1 Northbound. Picture: Arthur Carron
Gardai investigate a fatal car crash near Castlebellingham on the M1 Northbound. Picture:Arthur Carron
Garda forensics at the Quigley family home at Hackballscross this morning.
Mum-of-four Marie Quigley
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An apparent murder-suicide that claimed the lives of a married couple brings to five the number of tragic deaths within the same family.
Grandmother Marie Quigley (68) suffered a violent death at her home in Hackballscross, Co Louth, just before her husband was killed in a traffic collision after driving the wrong way on the M1.
Gardai believe that her partner James 'Jim' Quigley bludgeoned his wife to death before being involved in the fatal crash.
Funeral
The couple will share a joint funeral ceremony in the Co Louth village later this week.
Last night a close family friend said it is what "Marie would have wanted".
"They were always together, you rarely saw them apart.
"Regardless of the horrible situation of how they died they would have wanted to be together. May they both rest in peace," she said.
It is the fifth time the family have suffered tragic circumstances. More than 20 years ago the couple's son, Aidan (9), died in a drowning accident.
The family's home of 23 years was subsequently named 'San Aidene' in memory of their youngest son.
Jim Quigley's brother, Peter, then died in a separate tragedy, according to family friends.
His death occurred several years ago.
Then, only last year, the family suffered another loss when Marie's nephew, Terence Beagan jnr, lost his life in a car accident on New Year's Day.
The 43-year-old recording- studio director was killed instantly after being involved in a head-on collision at Ballynahaglish, Co Mayo.
Mr Beagan was making a short trip to the shops to buy a packet of cigarettes when the tragic accident occurred.
The crash also claimed the life of a 47-year-old taxi man.
In the latest tragedy, the body of Mrs Quigley was found by her son at her home just before 4pm on Monday.
Children
Sources said Kieran Quigley had gone to meet his father, but instead found the house quiet and the upstairs bedroom locked and curtains drawn.
He then called his cousin to help him break down the bedroom door and the pair found the body of Mrs Quigley, who had suffered head injuries.
The couple are survived by four children - Kieran, who also lives in Hackballscross, Gavin who lives in Cork, Mark who is currently in Canada and Sonya, who lives in Newbridge.
A spokesperson for the family, said yesterday: "We the Quigley and Beagan family would like to ask for privacy at this trying time.
"We would like to thank our extended family and friends for their continued thoughts and prayers."
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