Three members of the same family died in last night’s suspected murder-suicide in County Kerry.

A woman in her early 60s and her 23 year old son were found dead at a house near the village of Lixnaw shortly after 9pm last night'

They had both been shot.

Investigators then found the body of the woman's partner in a nearby field. He had also been shot and a firearm was recovered at the scene.

It is believed the man shot the woman and her son before taking his own life, but Gardaí have stressed the investigation is still at an early stage.

They said they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the killings.

"Upsetting and terrible"

Kerry mayor and Fianna Fail councillor Jimmy Moloney says the local community is stunned.

“It really is an upsetting and terrible tragedy,” he said.

“There is a real sense of shock and sadness in the area. It is something that is hard to get your head around.

“We want to offer all our sympathies to the wider, the neighbours and the community here in Lixnaw and they have our support at this moment in time.”

"Shellshocked"

These locals say the area is reeling after waking up to the news this morning.

“I never expected something like this to happen,” said one. “I was just shocked to hear it.

“I would imagine people are quite shellshocked,” said another. “It is not something that you expect. You know it is just terrible.”

The office of the state pathologist is to begin examining the bodies today.

A technical investigation of the family's bungalow home is about to start, with more details to emerge throughout the day.

Gardaí remain at the scene and investigators are working to confirm the timeline and exact nature of what happened.

Reporting from Paul O'Donoghue and Michael Staines