Tributes to mum and baby dead in suspected murder-suicide as note found at scene

TRIBUTES have poured in after a tragic mum and baby were found dead in a suspected murder-suicide.

A note discovered at the scene where Kate Donohoe, 35, and her seven-month-old son Vincent were found will form the basis of the garda probe.

The two were found dead at their home in the Beechfield Estate in Clonee, Dublin 15 on Saturday.

A neighbour had raised the alarm after not seeing the pair for over 24 hours.

Gardai are trying to establish who mum Kate Donohoe, 35, was last in contact with.

There was nobody else in the Beechfield Estate property and gardai say they are treating the matter as a tragedy.

 It’s understood the seven-month-old baby was smothered, while investigators believe his mother took an overdose.

The two were pronounced dead at the scene.

Kate was remembered by pals as “loving and decent” as tributes flowed yesterday.

One friend said: “The dog grooming world and animal welfare/rescue world is today rocked to its core.

“The most quirky loving decent caring funny lady and her gorgeous boy Vincent left this world for hopefully a better place yesterday.

“We will miss her help, advice, voice messages, her giggles and the genuine love that oozed from every pore of her body.

“Please just say one little prayer that they are both happy & together for ever now.

“You were loved more than you will ever know Kate.”

‘MUCH LOVED’

One more said: “Rest in heavenly peace Kate & baby Vincent. You were very much loved amongst our Irish grooming family.”

Another friend wrote: “This evening we received the devastating news that our beautiful happy go lucky colourful friend Kate Donohoe and her beautiful little son Vincent have left us all in tragic circumstances.

“This just seems so surreal, if I had one wish right now it would be to wake up tomorrow morning to realise all this was just a very disturbing dream but sadly that’s not going to happen.”

Chiefs at Meath Dog Shelter added: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the loss of Kate and her son.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, her friends, and those in the community affected by her passing. Rest in peace.”

‘DEVASTATING FOR FAMILY’

Cops carried out door-to-door inquiries on Saturday and Sunday.

Officers hope to speak to the woman’s relatives and friends in the coming days in the hope of establishing her psychological state in recent times.

Gardai have said they are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death of the pair.

It’s understood that specialist toxicologists will be brought in to try to determine the cause of the mother’s death.

An insider said: “This is a very sensitive case. It’s devastating for the family involved.

“The post-mortems will tell a lot and will decide the course of the investigation but at this point gardai are not looking for anyone else.”

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