Gardai have arrested the father of two young Co. Carlow brothers found dead in Co. Mayo earlier this week.

43-year-old Sanjeev Chada was detained after being discharged from Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar this afternoon.

The bodies of his 5 and 10-year-old sons were found in the boot of the Ford Focus. Gardaí believe they did not die from injuries sustained in the collision.

He has been taken to Westport Garda Station for questioning.

Bodies to be released to family

Ruairí and Eoghan's bodies will be released to their mother Kathleen today after Gardaí carried out a post mortem last night.

The results are not expected to be made public for operational reasons as officers continue their investigation.

Gardaí are set to formally launch a murder inquiry today and have already allocated a significant amount of resources in both Mayo and the family's native Carlow.