Deaths of father and son 'not suspicious' say police

Johnny and Holden McNally were found dead in their terraced house at St. Patrick’s Terrace, just off the main street, causing widespread shock across the community.

News of their deaths has devastated their family who just over a year ago buried Johnny’s daughter and Holden’s sister Lorna Boyle who was found dead in a flat in Amepolkipoi in Greece.

It is understood that one relative, believed to be a sister of Ms. Boyle, had to be held back by police on Monday as the bodies of her father and brother were discovered inside.

There were frantic scenes outside the McNally's home as police officers and distraught relatives tried to gain entry. The Very Rev. Canon Joseph Mullan was then called and along with concerned neighbours consoled with relatives in what he said was “a terrible ordeal for them all.” Both men have been described as “quiet” with one neighbour telling this newspaper that they “rarely left each other’s side.” Their deaths just days from Father’s Day has saddened so many who knew them, including local man Vincent Martin, who lived just a few doors away.

“I can’t believe it, I just can’t believe it, especially because it’s father and son. It’s unprecedented. You know what I mean? Any death is a tragedy, but a father and son. It’s most unusual. Everyone is numb with shock, nobody can believe it, and a few days from Father’s Day, too,” he said.

Mr. Martin described the frantic efforts by police to gain access to the McNally’s home.

“We heard shouting and calling; there were relations knocking at the window, shouting for Johnny and Holden and they couldn’t get in. There were police knocking, just a lot of commotion. We didn’t know what was wrong. It was frantic, fairly loud and the police couldn’t get in. The front door was locked, so they came through my house, got over the garden fence and in through their back door.

“Johnny’s daughter Rhonda arrived in the meantime and was distraught. The police tried to keep her back, but she was adamant that she wanted in,” Mr. Martin told The Impartial Reporter.

“The McNallys would have been well known. They have lived here a lifetime, you know. Johnny was quiet fellow, he wouldn’t have caused anyone any harm and Holden would have been the same; quiet and inoffensive.” He said the community would “rally around the family as best as we can.” “It’s difficult, it’s not something you want to hear about or witness. It’s going to be difficult for Rhonda, she lost her sister and now her father and brother, but the support will be here for them.” Noel Copeland, a friend of the family, said he was finding it difficult to come to terms with their deaths and recalled talking to Holden the previous day.

“I saw Holden early yesterday morning. He was walking about, he got something in the shop and went back down to the house. I walked with him, we were talking. Then I heard today they were gone and I can’t believe it. As the man says, how do you put it together? It’s hard to swallow.

“These people were very easy going and very modest, and wouldn’t have had a bad word to say about no man or no woman. Less than an hour ago my mother told me what happened. I said, ‘Mum, no’ and she said, ‘Son, yes.’ I cried for 20 minutes to half an hour and it hasn’t sunk in yet. I have known the family for about 40 years,” he said.

As forensic teams moved into the McNally home, businessman Derek Kerr, who owns a cattle feed business opposite, said: “We are all in state of shock.” “I am here 25 years and they would have lived here all their lives. They kept themselves very much to themselves, very quiet, never really bothered about anybody else. I saw Holden on Friday, I waved over to him and he put his hand up to me. I would have seen him regularly, but wouldn’t have seen the father for a couple of weeks. I believe he had been in poor health and whatever he needed up the town Holden would have got it for him,” said Mr. Kerr.

Just over a year ago 48-year-old Lorna Boyle, who was originally from Lisnaskea, was found dead in a flat in Greece where she had been based for a number of years. It was thought at the time that her body may have lain in the first floor apartment for more than three weeks.

At the time, a 52 year old man was arrested in connection with Ms. Boyle’s death and it’s understood he was brought before the courts and was later exonerated.

The Very Rev. Canon Joseph Mullin of Holy Cross Church spoke of the “profound sadness” in the area and praised all the friends of the family for their support.

“The tragedy is compounded by the fact that the daughter and sister of the two men died just a year ago. The pain of all of that has gathered together and the night I was at the house it was a terrible ordeal for them all. A lot of Rhonda’s friends have gathered around her and the family. Tragedy tests a community and Lisnaskea responds very well to the test,” he said.

SDLP Councillor Ritchie McPhillips, who is based in the town, said the deaths were “tragic.” “I would have known Johnny, he was a resident in the town a long time. He was a quiet man and was a goalkeeper for Lisnaskea Emmetts many years ago. It’s tragic and this family have unfortunately had problems visited upon them in the past. This community has been hit on some several occasions over the last four or five years and the town has always offered help,” he said.