It is understood Michael Greaney stabbed 21-year-old daughter Michelle and wife Valerie before turning the knife on himself
A husband and wife are dead and their daughter is fighting for her life after a shocking knife bloodbath yesterday .
Police believe Michael Greaney stabbed his wife Valerie to death after attacking his 21-year-old daughter Michelle.
It is understood he turned the knife on himself as his wife and daughter lay stabbed in their home in Cork, Ireland.
Their 16-year-old daughter raised the alarm at 3.30pm after coming across the horrific attack.
Physical therapist Michael has suffered mental health issues in the past and was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital in 2013.
A source told the Irish Mirror: “An incident like this, especially at Christmas, will shock the community.”
Police believe Valerie Greaney lost her life at the hands of husband Michael after the physical therapist pulled a blade on daughter Michelle.
It is understood the mum-of-two rushed to protect her daughter but Michael turned the knife on his wife, stabbing her to death at the family home in Cobh, Cork.
The father then turned the blade on himself as his wife and daughter lay stabbed on the floor.
The couple’s younger daughter raised the alarm after she discovered the bloodbath.
She was uninjured in the attack but is said to be extremely traumatised by the horrific killings.
Emergency services arrived at the scene in Cobh at around 3.30pm yesterday.
They began life saving CPR on Michelle as she was rushed to Cork University Hospital with critical injuries.
She was operated on and was fighting for her life in hospital last night.
Michael had suffered mental health issues in the past.
It is understood the businessman was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital in south Dublin following an incident in May 2013 involving his daughter.
A barring order was placed against the respected physical therapist in the aftermath of the incident.
But it is believed that was removed at the request of the family.
A security source told the Irish Mirror: “The father had a serious mental health issue.
“It’s not a case at all that he lost his temper and lashed out violently.
“That’s something that is being stressed by those who knew him.
“There was an incident two years ago and he ended up in the Central Mental Hospital.
“The Greaneys are a very well respected and popular family in Cobh.
“An incident like this, especially at Christmas, will shock the community.”
The family had suffered a tragedy four weeks previously when Valerie’s mother passed away.
The younger daughter who raised the alarm in the early afternoon, is receiving specialist psychological treatment.
The insider added: “Everything will be done for this young girl.
“She has been through something most of us thankfully will never see.
“There would have been blood everywhere she would have seen both her parents lying there dead and her big sister struggling to breath in front of her.
“It doesn’t bear thinking about really.”
Neighbours gathered in shock yesterday around the family home yesterday as the community in Cobh was united in grief.
Police confirmed to them that they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the tragedy.
Local councillor Sinead Sheppard said the whole community in the town is devastated by the shocking incident.
She told the Irish Mirror: “We are a very tight knit community here so the news is absolutely shocking.
“It’s a very quiet place in general where everyone would know everyone.
“It’s just a devastating thing to hit the area. You hear about this kind of thing happening everywhere else but you don’t expect it to arrive at your doorstep.
“This is a time of year where you should be celebrating with your family.
“For something like this to happen on our doorsteps here is nothing short of shocking.
“I would like to take this chance to extend my sincerest sympathies to all those who knew the deceased.”
Michelle had recently graduated from University College Cork.
