Smurfit heir dies after being set on fire in churchyard

ONE of the heirs to the Smurfit fortune has died after being found on fire in a London churchyard

An inquest into the death began yesterday at West London Coroner’s Court but was adjourned pending further police inquiries.

Coroner Alison Thompson was told the cause of death had been given as ‘severe burns’ and that Jason Smurfit had been identified by dental records.

The 35-year-old, who has an address of Dalkey, Co Dublin, was still alive but suffering from horrendous injuries when he was rescued by emergency services. It’s reported he doused himself in petrol.

He was brought to hospital by air ambulance but died a short time afterwards at West Middlesex hospital.

Emergency services were telephoned by worshippers at St Martin’s Catholic church in the west London borough of Hounslow.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said last night that officers from the London Metropolitan Police found a man alight on the grounds of the Bath Road church. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

No family members were present at yesterday afternoon’s hearing.

Emergency services arrived at the church after 2.30pm last Sunday. Mr Smurfit was given first aid at the scene before being transported to the nearby hospital.

Jason is a nephew of Michael Smurfit, who now runs the family paper business (established by the victim’s grandfather Jefferson).

Jason is the son of the late Jeff Smurfit Junior who died from a heart attack on the Isle of Man in 1987.

Jason’s mother, Ann lives in Ireland at the K Club. She is being comforted by her daughters Karena, Tina and son Jeff. Arrangements are being made for the transport of the body to Dublin for burial in the next few days.

A family friend said last night that they were “devastated”. Jason had been well-known for his playboy lifestyle spending vast sums of money on drink, drugs and gambling. He inherited millions, aged 18.

Five years ago, he appeared in Dun Laoghaire District Court charged with causing damage to a door. At the time, his legal team said he was a patient of St Ita’s, Portrane. Nine years before that, in 1992, he was convicted of drink driving.