Death by smoke inhalation

A PENSIONER who had a number of near misses when fires broke out in the house where he lived was found burned to death, an inquest heard yesterday.

The remains of James McCarthy, 69, of Effin, Co Limerick, were found on June 7 last, the hearing in Limerick was told.

The alert was raised by the local postman on his daily round.

Gardaí and firefighters found Mr McCarthy’s remains near the location of his bed. Mr McCarthy had gone to Charleville the previous day and had been drinking before he got a taxi home.

The inquest was told that the deceased, who had a dependence on drink, had a number of near misses after fires broke out in the house.

He lived alone.

Pathologist, Dr James O’Driscoll, said he found extensive burns on the remains of the deceased and concluded that death was caused by smoke inhalation associated with extensive severe burns.

An open verdict was returned by the jury.