Victim of house fire in Cork died from smoke inhalation

Jack Mahony (74) died after fire started accidentally downstairs, gardaí believe

A post-mortem on Jack Mahony (74) was carried out at Cork University Hospital. Stock Photograph: Cyril Byrne
A post-mortem on Jack Mahony (74) was carried out at Cork University Hospital. Stock Photograph: Cyril Byrne

A 74-year-old pensioner, who died in a house fire in Cork city over the weekend, has been named locally as Jack Mahony.

He died as a result of smoke inhalation, a post-mortem has established.

Mr Mahony died when a fire broke out at his two storey terraced house at Kelleher’s Building at Dillon’s Cross on the city’s northside around 4.30am on Saturday morning.

Gardaí believe the fire started accidentally in a downstairs living area and they are hoping a forensic examination of the house by garda technical experts will establish the exact cause of the blaze.

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Neighbours raised the alarm and a number of units of Cork City Fire Brigade brought the blaze under control and recovered Mr Mahony, who lived alone, from a downstairs sitting room.

But Mr Mahony was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was removed to Cork University Hospital for a post-mortem examination by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster.

Gardaí confirmed following the completion of the post-mortem t that Mr Mahony died as a result of smoke inhalation.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times