Three brothers have been found dead in north Cork after a suspected murder-suicide.

Gardaí are set to open a criminal investigation after the killings near Mitchelstown in the north-west of the county.

The alarm was raised late last night when the daughter of one of the victims told gardaí that her father had been killed.

Gardaí found the bodies of two of the brothers at an isolated farmhouse just outside of Mitchelstown.

The body of the third brother was found in a river earlier today.

The men have been named locally as brothers 59-year-old Johnny, 60-year-old Paddy and 66-year-old Willie Hennessy.

Garda Forensics arriving at the scene near Kilacluig, close to Michelstown, after the body of a third man has been found during a manhunt in Cork. Picture by: Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire/PA Images

Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said the crime has led to a massive police operation, with "in excess" of 50 officers involved.

Local councillor Frank O’Flynn says the men were well-known farmers.

He said: "They were farming in the locality - everyone in dairy would know them.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very, very sad time."

Anyone who thinks they may know anything about the crime has been urged to contact gardaí at Mitchelstown Garda Station 025 84833, the Garda Confidential Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Main image: Ambulance crew at the scene near Kilacluig, close to Michelstown, after the body of a third man has been found during a manhunt in Cork. Picture by: Brendan Gleeson/PA Wire/PA Images