A couple were found dead at their home in Bray on Wednesday morning, almost a decade after their two young children died in a house fire. Bridgid 'Biddy' O'Brien, 45, and her partner Jamie McGinn, 38, were discovered at their property on the border between Dublin and Wicklow.
The tragedy comes nine years after their children Jordan, four, and Holly, three, died in a fire in March 2017. Sources told the Irish Mirror that investigators do not believe, at this stage, that there was foul play in either death. Mr McGinn, found just outside the house, suffered visible injuries, but there was no indication that Ms O'Brien had sustained any injuries.
Garda Investigation Underway
Gardaí do not believe anyone else was involved in the deaths. Two full post-mortems are set to take place, and gardaí hope these will help solve the mystery of how the couple died. However, sources added that detectives are likely to have to wait several weeks before they get results back from toxicology tests.
The bodies were found at their home at Cois Cairn on Bray's Old Connaught Road at around 8am. Gardaí from the Serious Crime Unit, DMR East, are investigating all circumstances surrounding the discovery. A statement said: "Both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene."
Family's Previous Tragedy
The couple never got over the deaths of their children, who died in a fire that also killed their aunt and a young cousin in west Dublin in March 2017. The fire broke out at a refuge in Clondalkin, where Biddy had brought her children to stay with her sister Anne Marie O'Brien. Anne Marie, who was seven months pregnant, and her daughter Paris, aged two, also perished.
Biddy, the only survivor, spent several weeks in intensive care and only regained consciousness around a month after the disaster. James then had to break the news to her that their children, as well as Anne Marie and little Paris, had all died in the fire. An inquest later heard the fire was accidental, probably caused by a tea light or candle setting fire to a large TV screen.
Community in Shock
Friends paid tribute to the couple online on Wednesday. One said: "RIP Jamie and Biddy, sleep well mate, back with your babies now." Another said: "Can't believe this, rest in peace the both of you."
Sinn Féin Wicklow TD John Brady said the area was deeply shocked at the couple's deaths. "(It is) absolutely devastating for the community here within the area," he told RTÉ. He added: "I think a real sense of disbelief that a tragedy such as this is unfolding."
The couple had both experienced substance abuse issues after the deaths of their children, and Mr McGinn had become addicted to drugs. In February 2024, he was jailed for 18 months after admitting possessing almost €200,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis that he was holding for a drugs gang. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard he told gardaí he had an €8,000 drug debt and was holding the drugs to reduce it.
The scene remains preserved for technical examination, and a Senior Investigating Officer is leading the investigation from an incident room at Dun Laoghaire Garda Station. Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to support the bereaved families. Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses to contact Dun Laoghaire Garda Station on (01) 666 5000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
