Winnie Ryan was found dead in a room of the farmhouse where she lived with her sister Mary Ellen. Gardai have not yet established the dead woman's age but believe she was in her late 80s. Her sister is of similar age and was found in a "disoriented and dishevelled" state, according to the garda leading the investigation.

Gardai are understood to have used a nearby digger to force their way into the house at Gurteenabarna, near Borrisoleigh, last Friday afternoon after the women had not been seen for nearly a week. It is understood bank officials who had unsuccessfully tried to contact the sisters initially raised the alarm. It is thought Winnie Ryan had been dead several days.

Superintendent John Courtney of Templemore garda station said there were no visible injuries to the deceased and no signs violence had been inflicted on either sister. He added that gardai were awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination but were treating the death as suspicious until receiving a definitive verdict.

It is understood the women were found in two separate rooms and one line of investigation is that Mary Ellen found her sister dead and fell into shock. She was yesterday receiving treatment at Nenagh General Hospital and is in a comfortable position. She is still very distressed but has spoken to investigators and the local priest, Fr Michael Barry. He said: "I spoke to Mary and she was very feeble. She responded only in that she understood who I was and responded to my prayers."

She will be interviewed when she is medically well enough.

The Ryans' farmhouse is extremely rural and the nearest neighbours live over half a mile away. The two women were described by neighbours as very popular members of the community who travelled by car to mass each week.

Gardai at Templemore have appealed for information to 0504 32630.