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Deaths of Irish mother Sinéad Higgins and son Oisín 'consistent with a murder and suicide' - Police
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Deaths of Irish mother Sinéad Higgins and son Oisín 'consistent with a murder and suicide' - Police

DETECTIVES investigating the deaths of Irish mother Sinéad Higgins and her son Oisín are satisfied they are consistent with a murder and suicide. 

The bodies of Mayo native Sinéad Higgins and her seven-year-old son Oisín O’Driscoll were discovered at their home in Ruislip on Wednesday morning.

Police officers forced entry to their home on The Fairway after welfare concerns were raised for the mother and her young son.

The bodies of Sinéad and Oisín were found inside the property.

A post mortem examination started yesterday, December 16 at Uxbridge Mortuary.

The cause of deaths were inconclusive, and officers are now awaiting further toxicology tests.

However following the examinations, detectives are satisfied that the deaths are consistent with a murder and a suicide.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police added that at this stage of the investigation, no one else is sought in connection with the two deaths.

Earlier this week Taoiseach Enda Kenny spoke of his shock over the tragic death of the Westport mother and her son.

Mr Kenny was speaking at the end of the European Council meeting in Brussels when he made the comments about the Irish woman and her young son.

“I’m shocked actually, I know that family very well,” he said. “It’s a particular tragedy for a very large family, a very well-respected family, and people I know so well.

“When I got that message here in Brussels, I have to say it went through me.”

INS News Agency Ltd 15/12/2016 A "glamorous" mother killed herself and her seven-year-old son after she was harassed by an obsessed man, a close friend claimed today(Thurs). A murder investigation was launched after police found the bodies of Sinead Higgins and her son, Oisin O'Driscoll, when they burst into her home. It was believed social services staff had raised welfare concerns before emergency services forced entry into the 37-year-old's two-storey home in The Fairway in Ruislip, west London. See copy INSfairnld Sinead Higgins and her son Oisin O'Driscoll (Picture: INS)

The 37-year-old mother had lived in London for 16 years and had worked as a nurse for a number of hospitals in the capital.

She later retrained as a medical legal advisor, which was her occupation at the time of her death.

Sinéad Higgins came from a large family of nine children, however her brother and father passed away some years ago.

She described herself as a ‘fun person’ and a ‘proud mama’ to Oisín on social media.

Detective Inspector Dave Bolton, from the Homicide and Major Crime, said it’s likely the deaths “do not involve a third party.”

“The investigation is at a very early stage but enquiries so far lead us to believe there is a likelihood that the tragic events that led to the deaths do not involve a third party.

“We are appealing to anyone who has any information to come and speak with us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8785 8244 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you have been affected by the issues in this story you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for free from Britain or Ireland on 116123.