TRIBUTES PAID TO TRAGIC COUPLE

The couple, who were from Ravarnet and in their 50s, were found in the car which had been driven to the bottom of a field at the Green Road around 9.50pm.

It had been positioned close to a ditch well away from the road. A gas cylinder was found inside the burnt out car.

Cyril was well known in the vintage tractor circles and was a member of the Lisburn Sidecar Motocross Club in the 1970s. He had worked locally for a number of civil engineering companies around the city and was highly regarded by his employers.

Health minister Edwin Poots, who lives nearby and who knew Mr Gardner, called it a ‘tragedy beyond belief’.

He said Cyril had worked as an excavation digger at his farm for a few months and he remembered him as a likeable and reliable man.

“This a terrible tragedy which has left their community reeling,” he said. “Like many people in the Hillsborough area, my family and I knew Mr and Mrs Gardner and news of their deaths has saddened us deeply. I want to offer my condolences to their two daughters and to their extended family who are grieving at this time.

“It is an awful loss, however I know the local community will want to offer its support to Mr and Mrs Gardner’s family.

“Cyril was very reliable and an all round good worker. He was really likeable and we all could not believe what had happened. ”

Local councillor Paul Stewart said that the entire community were numbed by what had happened.

“The whole community around this area is not just shocked, but they are numb,” he said. “They were quiet couple and kept themselves to themselves. This is a total tragedy. Not only do their daughters have to deal with losing not just one but two of their parents, but in such tragic circumstances as well” he said.

It is believed that Mrs Gardner was receiving psychiatric care at Lagan Valley Hospital both as an inpatient and an outpatient was at home at weekends. She was due to return back on Sunday when the tragedy occurred.

A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust said: “The South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust would like to offer its condolences to the family at such a tragic time.

“As with all unexpected deaths, a full multi-disciplinary review will be undertaken as soon as possible.”

Police say the couple left their home in the Carnbane Road area around 6.30pm and are keen to hear from anyone who may have spotted them between 6.30pm and 9.45pm to contact them on 0845-6008000.

An exclusion zone was maintained around the vehicle for a time after a gas canister was discovered inside the car.

Lisburn Councillor Jennifer Coulter offered her condolences to the family.

“My thoughts are with them at this time of extreme sadness” she said. “This is a very difficult time for all those who were close to the people who have died, and my prayers are with their families and friends.”

[email protected]