Gardaí seek relatives of couple found dead in Tipperary

• Published date: 24 June 2022

The team investigating the deaths of Nicholas and Hilary Smith at their home near Cloneen have taken several statements from locals. It is understood that Mr Smith spoke to one neighbour soon after arriving in the area around a decade ago and told them that he had a brother in the UK. However, he said he did not know where his sibling lived as they had not spoken for more than 20 years

"We have heard this report which, if correct, would suggest Mr Smith hadn't been in contact with his brother for the best part of 30 years. So we have been in touch, through Interpol, with police in the UK to try and trace Mr Smith's brother or other next of kin," a source said.

It has also emerged that the Smiths told neighbours in late 2020 that they were "going back" to France rather than going to France and gardaí have started checking a large quantity of documentation taken from the house to see if anything indicates where in the country the couple lived.

Gardaí have obtained a typed letter dropped into one neighbour in late 2020 informing them that the couple were returning to France, which appears to confirm the force's belief following an examination of items in the fridge that the couple may have died in late 2020.

Investigators have also been looking at bank statements belonging to the couple. While their pensions were paid into a bank account automatically and utilities were covered by standing orders, gardaí hope other activity might give an indication...