Tragic husband and wife who died in Longford home remembered as inseparable couple who always ‘put others before themselves’

The bodies of Paul and Morag Kavanagh, aged in their mid-70s and early 60s respectively, were discovered at their home in Killasonna, on the outskirts of Granard, on Saturday January 6.

It had initially been suspected the well-regarded couple had died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the days since, however, the focus of that investigation has focused on the possibility the pair had, in fact, died of natural causes.

In the intervening days, floods of moving tributes have continued to be paid to the highly respected couple, none more so than at a private cremation service at Lakelands Crematorium in Cavan this afternoon.

The house Paul and Morag Kavanagh shared in Killasonna, close to Granard town

Two modest, yet touching white floral tributes emblazoned with the names ‘Mum’ and ‘Dad’ sat perched beside the couple’s matching wicker caskets inside the hushed Cavan funeral home.

Morag’s brother, Andrew, who led the service, told of how the pair had been virtually inseparable throughout their 43 years together.

“They were as thick as thieves from the start and both lived varied lives,” he said.

“Wherever Paul went, Morag went and vice versa. They were a very sociable couple and loved to have others around them.

“They were generous and would help anyone out if needed. There were no questions and no judgement, just a warm welcome and the offer of a cup of tea or a drink.”

Memories and light-hearted anecdotes from the time the couple spent in England were also relayed, evidenced when Andrew revealed how both he and Paul, a gifted tennis player, had celebrated a win over members from the UK’s Metropolitan Police Force.

“We had a good night and when it came to time to leave, we were very nicely escorted down the A3 with Paul driving, three police cars leading, two in front and one behind,” recalled Andrew.

“We were awoken the next morning by Morag shouting: ‘Paul, what happened last night? (We awoke) to find the car still running with the engine and driver and passenger doors wide open.”

The house in Killasonna, outside Granard, where the bodies of Paul and Morag Kavanagh were found

It was an episode which, according to Andrew, went a long way towards illustrating the pair’s relaxed demeanour and carefree zest for life.

“Paul and Morag were great company, easy going and who enjoyed a good knees up,” he said.

“They were people you could be yourself with and be relaxed with and they could be both be right wind-up merchants.

“Paul would swear black was white and white was black.

Morag liked a good debate, she would sometimes be the mediator and move the conversation on.

“Morag and Paul will be remembered for that couple that made you smile. They were easy to be around and so laid back and put others before themselves.”

There were heart-rending tributes too, illustrated by messages from the pair’s much cherished grandchildren, Casey and Emma.

Close friend, Cindy Hunt also spoke of how she first came across the couple soon after moving into her first house in Dublin 30 thirty years ago.

“The removal man had just brought the couch into the sitting room when this woman who I never met before walked in and said: ‘Hello I am your new neighbour, Morag’.

“She then introduced me to her husband Paul and soon we became thick as thieves, doing everything together. Life with Morag was great.

“She was a fun-loving person who just loved life.

She had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone, day or night.

“As for Paul, he loved his love for the BBC and his heated debates as well as his love for Man Utd.

“We have all been through so much good and bad times together, but now they will only be memories, memories that will live in the hearts of us forever.”

Perhaps the most poignant of tributes came moments later when the couple’s eldest son, Shaun, told of the struggle he had encountered when trying to compose a fitting eulogy in memory of his late parents.

“I thought it would be easier, I thought I would have a lifetime of things to say, but it turns out putting them on a piece of paper is difficult,” he said, movingly.

“I am going to miss them terribly.

I want to thank them for everything they have done to get me here and to get Jess where she is.

They were good to us all and I’ll love you forever.”

The late Paul and Morag Kavanagh are survived by their son Shaun and his partner Karen, daughter Jessica and her boyfriend Callum, granddaughter Emma, grandson Casey, brothers, sisters, extended families, friends and neighbours.