A coroner is to issue summonses to eight witnesses who failed to attend an inquest into the deaths of two men in a fire.
South Cork coroner Frank O’Connell said it could not be a coincidence that the eight civilian witnesses failed to show at the hearing into deaths on May 2nd of Kenny Relihan (26) and Noel O’Mahony (64) at St Colman’s Park in Macroom.
Mr O’Connell said it appeared the witnesses – including Mr Relihan’s mother, who was seriously injured in the fire, and neighbours Ryan Manning and Timmy Coleman, who tried to save the two men – were “boycotting” the process.
“I want to assure these civilian witnesses that they have nothing to fear . . . an inquest is not about apportioning blame and two of the witnesses who did not attend today made heroic efforts to try and save those who died,” said Mr O’Connell.
Commander Kevin Kingston, of Macroom Fire Brigade, told the inquest an emergency call was received at 3.55am saying two people were trapped in a house that was on fire.
Thick smoke
They arrived at the house at 4.03am and noted heavy thick smoke throughout the property. When it was safe to enter firefighters found Mr O’Mahony between the bed and the window in an upstairs bedroom. Mr Relihan was found in the hall.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene by Dr Peter Cronin.
Garda technical expert Kealan O’Keeffe said she was satisfied the fire started accidentally in the kitchen where it appeared a chip pan on an electric cooker caught fire. Garda Patrick O’Leary said Mr Manning and Mr Coleman had attempted a rescue but were forced back by the smoke.
Assistant State Pathologist Margaret Bolster said Mr O’Mahony died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation in association with an enlarged heart and coronary artery disease while Mr Relihan died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation in association with burns.
The inquest was adjourned until January 24th.
