Row over money led to killing of Dublin dad and his wife

Adelina Campos

The family of a Dublin dad shot dead alongside his wife in South Africa are in "pure shock".

Dad of five and diving school boss Kevin McGuirk (53), originally from Dublin, and his South African wife Kim (34) died on Monday after being shot at their home near Johannesburg.

Mrs McGuirk's 75-year-old father, Erwin Franz Poppinger, who was arrested in Alberton, admitted he had shot them with a licensed pistol. He contacted police on Tuesday morning following a row - understood to be about money - at the house on the previous night.

It is believed he shot them some time between 10pm and 11pm at the house he owns in the quiet middle-class suburban town.

Mr McGuirk's daughter Siobhan has spoken of how she feels "completely numb".

"I will never forget his huge smile and how he could always make me laugh or smile when I was crying or upset," she said.

"Woke up this morning and realised I wasn't dreaming. It really happened. I guess all I have left is memories."

Mr McGuirk's nephew Jason McGuirk described the tragedy as the worst news of his life and said everyone was in "pure shock".

Police spokesman Manaka Raphulu said investigators were still working on what the motive for the shooting had been.

"The victims were found in the bedroom. The man had been shot in the back and his wife had been shot in the head," he said.

"At this stage we have no idea why the old man decided to kill the couple."

Meanwhile, police Lieut Col Tshisikhawe Ndou said the elderly man had not confessed to murder.

"The man did not confess because that would automatically make him guilty," Lieut Col Ndou added.

"He said he would explain the whole situation and his motives when he is in court."

hnews@herald.ie