Fermanagh murder: Concepta Leonard was '˜devoted' mother and musician

Concepta Leonard, aged 51, was found dead at her house in the Abbey Road area of Lisnaskea in Co Fermanagh on Monday afternoon.

The body of her former partner, 55-year-old Peadar Phair, was also found at the scene.

Detectives believe Ms Leonard was murdered inside her isolated home in the lakeland county, before Mr Phair took his own life.

Her son, Conor, 30, who has special needs, also suffered stab wounds and was taken to hospital, where he is in a stable condition.

Concepta, known to those close to her as Connie, was highly respected in traditional Irish music circles and hailed from a musical family. Her father, Dinny Leonard, is an accomplished accordion player.

Her son Conor, would have been seen playing the bodhrán - a drum used in Irish traditional music - at St Patrick’s Day and other celebration events.

A friend who attended St Mary’s Primary School in Brookeborough with Concepta told the News Letter: “She was a truly lovely person who always had as smile for everyone.

“Music was her life and she was a fantastic accordion player, but she was also completely devoted to her son Conor, who has Downs Syndrome.

“What happened to Concepta is really tragic and everyone is in shock. My thoughts are with Conor and I hope he makes a full recovery.”

Tributes have also been flooding in on social media, particular from within the traditional music community.

Newtownbutler Comhaltas posted on Facebook: “We have a great musical association with this great family and have in recent years enjoyed their musical talents on our stage at our trad concert.

“We will always remember Connie with great fondness for her affection, dedication and energetic outlook shown in all areas of her life;as an amazing mother, daughter, sister, music teacher and friend.”

Fermanagh Comhaltas also paid tribute, adding: “Connie along with her father Dinny have kept traditional music alive in the county for many years and she will be sadly missed by anyone her had the pleasure of playing music with her, or learning music from her.

“She was a devoted musician, teacher and of course Mother to her amazing son Conor, who we are all thinking about at this time.”

DUP leaders Arlene Foster extended her sympathy to the family on Twitter and wrote: “Thoughts and parayers to the young man who survived.”