Two bodies found after shooting in Northern Ireland

Police forensics officers were scouring an isolated farmhouse in Northern Ireland for evidence tonight after the discovery of the bodies of two men who had been shot dead.

The bodies were found in a farmhouse a mile from the village of Glenarm, Co Antrim, by a farm worker who raised the alarm. Police were not immediately treating the deaths as terrorist-related but the inquiry was in its initial stages.

Stewart Dickson, the Northern Ireland Assembly member for the area, said: "This is an absolutely shocking incident, which has left the village and the surrounding community in shock.

“My thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased and would call for anyone with any information to contact the PSNI as soon as possible. I hope the police will be able to determine what was behind this tragic incident tonight."

Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan said the community was stunned by what he described as a "double tragedy".

"The death tonight of two men is a tragedy not only for the families but also for the community," he said.

"The community is in a state of shock as both men were well known within this tight knit community.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families at this time."

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: "An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths is under way. There are no further details at present."

The dead men were named locally as farm owner Arthur Gibson, in his early 60s, and farm labourer Michael Murphy, in his late 30s.

Police were not thought to be looking for anyone else in connection with the shootings.

Neighbours helped to milk the cows and keep the farm operating as the police investigation carried on.