Mystery over how city brother and sister died

The mystery deaths of a brother and sister in a house in Newcastle this week was the second tragedy to hit the family in less than a year.

And poignantly, Gavin Ridgard – aged in his 50s – had just returned to Galway from the UK to attend the inquest into the death of his 22-year-old daughter this week.

The bodies of Mr Ridgard and his sister, Tricia Kerr, also aged in her 50s, were discovered in a local authority house in John Coogan Park at around lunchtime on Wednesday.

Last April, Gemma Ridgard – daughter of Gavin – was found dead in another house in Coogan Park of a suspected drugs overdose, just weeks after she was released from prison.

It’s understood Gavin had returned from his home in the UK recently to attend the inquest into his daughter’s death, which was due to be held at Galway Courthouse yesterday, but was adjourned by the Coroner in the wake of the double tragedy.
Mr Ridgard was to be the only witness called at the inquest.

Meanwhile, Garda investigations into the two tragic deaths this week are ongoing, but Gardaí have stressed they are not looking for anyone in relation to the incident and the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

Post mortem examinations proved inconclusive, and Gardai are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests.

Mrs Kerr is understood to have been the tenant in the property, while Mr Ridgard was visiting from the UK.

Carbon monoxide poisoning had been considered in the investigation, but a family dog was unharmed when the bodies were found. There is not believed to be a gas supply to the house, but there is a stove fire. Toxicology results are not expected to be available for a number of weeks.

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune