A gas leak has been ruled out as causing the death of two people in a senior citizens’ complex.
The man and woman, named locally as John “Little Elvis” Glennon and Debbie McEvoy, were found dead in the Drumalee Court flat in Stoneybatter in Dublin’s north inner city.
Dublin City Council, which owns the complex, said the incident is being investigated by gardaí, who have not ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning.
Bord Gáis confirmed there has been no piped gas in use in the flat for a number of years and ruled out any leak at any adjoining property.
Senior gardaí stressed there is no evidence of foul play.
Family and friends in the area said they were shocked at the death of Mr Glennon, a colourful character known as Little Elvis because of his cowboy hat and clothes, and his friend who was a regular visitor.
Both were aged in their mid-60s.
Local TD Joe Costello, who knew the dead man, described him as the heart and soul of every party. “He had come to me on a number of occasions because of housing,” said the junior minister at the scene.
“He was very much a lively person who would get up and sing and dance and enjoy himself. He was someone who was well known around the area.
“He was at the Christmas party on Prussia Street a few days before Christmas and he was up singing on that occasion, so he was in the best of health and the best of form.”
Mr Glennon, who used a walking frame to get about, is believed originally to have been from the midlands. A former driver, he had lived at the flat for several years.
His sister Mary and her husband Jimmy Traynor were among the first to visit the scene, which was cordoned off by crime scene investigators.
Mr Traynor said: “This came as a complete shock today. He lived alone but sometimes his friend came to see him. Just last weekend a nun was worried about him and the [city council] had to break in, but he was OK.”
Meanwhile a friend of Ms Evoy, who lived in a rented flat nearby, said she was once a dedicated nurse who had worked in several Dublin hospitals over the years.
“She was one of the most nicest, kindest people I have ever met in my life,” she said.
“She gave her life to nursing. This is such an awful shock, tragic.”
Postmortems are expected to be carried out on both victims tomorrow.
PA