A woman in her mid-70s has died in a house fire in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon.
The woman was named locally as Vivien Doohan (nee Downes), who was a widow.
Units of Roscommon fire service attended after neighbours in the Priory Park estate raised the alarm shortly after 9pm.
Neighbours tried to help to save the woman, who was living alone. Her body was recovered from the damaged building, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local councillor Michael Mulligan told the Roscommon Herald that people were numbed by the tragedy and that Mrs Doohan was a “nice, decent woman who more or less kept to herself.” Ms Doohan’s husband Thomas pre-deceased her. She is survived by her daughter Maddie, her brothers and sisters. .
Gardaí said they were investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the house fire.
The coroner for Roscommon has been notified, and an inquest will be held.