Death of man in apartment fire a ‘tragic accident’

GARDAÍ are treating as a tragic accident the death of a young man in a fire in east Cork at the weekend.

They also appealed to witnesses to another fire which gutted the former Lough Tavern on Gould Street to come forward.

Shane O’Mahony, 23, died when fire broke out in the flat where he lived alone, at Bunratty House, Rushbrooke in Cobh, Co Cork, late on Friday night.

It is believed that a chip-pan may have been responsible for the blaze and that Mr O’Mahony was overcome by fumes and smoke.

The alarm was raised just after 11pm and firefighters rushed to the scene.

Although residents in the four-block apartment complex were evacuated, the fire was contained in Mr O’Mahony’s apartment. His body was found a short while later.

The Mayor of Cobh, Cllr Paddy Whitty, described the death as “very tragic”.

“I am very sorry for the family and send on my condolences on behalf of Cobh Town Council. It is very tragic that someone would die in an accidental fire in an apartment.”

Meanwhile, gardaí in Cork city have appealed for witnesses after a fire gutted the former Lough Tavern on Gould Street.

Gardaí at Barrack Street are keeping an open mind on the cause of the fire which ripped through the building, opposite the Lough Church, just after 10pm on Friday night.

The pub, which has been closed for about three years, has been used by squatters in recent months.

Last May, the Irish Examiner spoke to a Latvian man, who along with five or six others, had gained access to the building through broken windows.

They managed to hook up an electricity supply but they were living amid piles of rubbish in a damp room on the top floor.

There was no one in the building when the city fire brigade arrived at the scene on Friday night.

The fire brigade remained at the scene until just before 4am.

Garda experts conducted a technical examination of the building on Saturday and are keeping an open mind on the cause of the blaze.

They are aware that it was being used by squatters and they will be discussing the matter with the building’s owners.

Anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour in the area on Friday night is asked to contact Barrack Street Garda Station.