Tragedy as couple found dead at home nine years after children died in fire

Tragedy as couple found dead at home nine years after children died in fire Police are now probing how the two passed away - it is said they never got over the deaths of their young children in a refuge fire nine years ago which nearly killed their mother The bodies of a couple have tragically been found at home nine years after their two young children died in a horrific fire. Bridgid 'Biddy' O’Brien, 45, and her partner Jamie McGinn, 38, were found dead at their home in Bray, Ireland, early on Wednesday morning. Their deaths are now being probed by Irish police, gardai, although it is not thought foul play had a role in their deaths. While Mr McGinn, who was found just outside the house, suffered visible injuries, the Irish Mirror reports there was no indication Ms O’Brien had sustained any injuries. Two full post-mortems are now set to take place and gardai hope that will help solve the mystery of how the couple died. The couple never got over the deaths of their children Jordan, four, and three-year-old Holly, who died in a fire that also killed their aunt and a young cousin in west Dublin in March 2017. "It is another terrible tragedy for the family," a source said. A police spokesperson added: "Gardaí from the Serious Crime Unit, DMR East, continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of two bodies at a residential property in Bray, Co. Dublin. "Shortly after 8:00am, Gardaí were alerted following the discovery of the bodies of a male aged in his 30s and a female aged in her 40s at a residence on Old Connaught Avenue, Bray. Both individuals were pronounced deceased at the scene. "The bodies of both have been removed to the City Morgue at Whitehall where a post mortem examination will be completed by State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Anne Collis over the course of this evening and tomorrow. The results of the post mortem examination will assist Gardaí in determining the course of the investigation going forward." And the force appealed for any witnesses to come forward. The statement continued: "The scene remains preserved for technical examination this evening, October 21, 2026. A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) is leading the investigation from an incident room at Dun Laoghaire Garda Station. "Family Liaison Officers have been appointed to support the bereaved families. An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information in relation to this incident to contact Dun Laoghaire Garda Station on (01) 666 5000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station." The couple were left devastated after the March 2017 blaze killed Jordan and Holly - and left Biddy fighting for her life. The tragedy happened when she brought her children to stay over with her sister Anne Marie O’Brien at a refuge in Clondalkin. A fire broke out at the refuge and claimed the lives of Biddy’s two children - as well Anne Marie, who was seven months pregnant, and her daughter Paris, aged two. Biddy, who was the only survivor of the blaze, 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 perished in the fire. An inquest later heard that the fire was accidental, and was probably caused by a tea light or candle setting fire to a large TV screen. 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." And another said: "Our hearts are shattered. Not a day went by without u calling into us for some lunch or dinner or a chat - how life can go on without that big laugh that helping hand around our home? "You left too soon, no chance of good bye. "Hug and hold your babies, they deserve to have you back with them. We love you always miss you forever." 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 he admitted possessing almost €200,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis - that he was holding for a drugs gang. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Mr McGinn took responsibility for the drugs. He was arrested and made admissions after the seizure the previous year. He told gardai that he had an €8,000 drug debt and he was holding the drugs to reduce his debt. The court also heard his only other convictions were for road traffic offences.