BY C.J.MCGINLEY
THE family of murdered Carndonagh couple James and Kathleen Cuddihy issued a brief brief statement late on Sunday afternoon.
The statement was issued by the gardai and it read:
“The family thank An Garda Síochána, medical and other personnel, neighbours, friends and the local community for their support and sensitivity at this most difficult time,” it read
“They ask that they, their extended family and the local community be allowed to observe local traditions without media intrusion to enable them to honour Jimmy and Kathleen with dignity in the coming days.
“The family will not be releasing any further statement at this time,” the statement added.
The funerals will take place on Tuesday. The remains of James (77) and Kathleen (73) Cuddihy, Churchtown, Carndonagh left the Eternal Light Chapel of Rest, Carnamuggagh, Letterkenny at 6pm on Sunday.
The removal was strictly for family and friends only at the expressed wishes of the Cuddihy family who are struggling to come to terms with the trgaedy.
They were brought to the home of their son, James, for waking before the funeral mass at 11am on Tuesday in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Carndonagh.
The remains were released by gardai from the morgue at Letterkenny General following detailed forensic examinations by the State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy and after thorough investigations at the family home by officers from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
A 42-year-old son of the couple has been charged with their double murders.
Julian Cuddihy, was charged before a special sitting of Ballyshannon District Court on Friday night with the murders of his parents.
He was remanded in custody and Judge Kevin Kilraine directed that the prison authorities have him undergo a psychiatric assessed as soon as is practicable. He will appear again at Letterkenny District Court on Wednesday.
The couple were highly respected in the locality and news of the grim discovery of their bodies at their bungalow on the ‘Mountain Road’ has sent shockwaves all over the country.
They have been described locally as ‘wonderful parents’ and great community people. They had four grown up children, sons James and Julian and daughters, Maureen and Delilah. The latter is a Deputy Principal at the local St Patrick’s Girls National School.
A hatchet found at the house is part of the investigation.
On Friday morning gardai issued an appeal for information about the movement’s of the family car, a Silver Skoda Octavia, between 4pm on Wednesday and 9.30am on Thursday.
Julian Cuddihy was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act at Mindoran near Clonmany, an area of Donegal within a few minutes’ drive of the crime scene not along after the bodies were found.
The family car (reg 10 DL 274) was also found at Mindoran,
The grim discovery of the bodies was made at about 9m on Thursday by the murdered couple’s son James and a local builder, Paddy Nelson, who had been carrying out work at the property. Mr Nelson was captain of the local GAA team last year.
James Cuddihy has an engineering works-workshop at the rear of the family home. His suspicions were raised when he didn’t notice any sign of his parents.
Along with the builder they made a forced entry to the house where they found the bodies. The couple’s daughter Delilah arrived at the scene shortly after.
Mr Cuddihy was a native of south Co Kilkenny but came to Carndonagh to teach in the 60s, where he also married and the couple reared their family. He is a former captain and President of Ballyliffin Golf Club.
He taught maths and metalwork at Carndonagh Community School and formerly the old ‘tech’ in the town where he came in the 60′s and later met his wife.
Mr Cuddihy, gave grinds to local pupils for their Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations.
Kathleen, was also well known in the locality as a local nurse-paramedic.
She worked voluntary for the local hospital and ambulance service and raised money for various charities such as the ‘Good n New’ cancer service.
Locals said Kathleen was your typical Irish mother who worked tirelessly for all of her children. They are all very well educated.
Jimmy, loved music and was a good fiddle player.
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