Man dies after fall into basement of derelict house

A MAN who fell into the basement of a derelict city centre house in Limerick has died.

David Byrnes, 26, from Castleconnell received serious head injuries and was found unconscious outside the Catherine Street house at around 3.30am on Sunday.

He was removed to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital and put on life support.

Gardaí said a number of people saw him fall from a ground floor window. The house is known to be used by street drinkers.

One theory is that Mr Byrnes was trying to leave the house through a window, believing he was going out onto the street, unaware of the 12ft drop to the basement.

Initially, gardaí sealed off the scene due to the nature of the death. But, after speaking to a number of people they were satisfied it was an accidental fall.

There were a number of other people in the house at the time.

Flowers have been placed on the railings adjacent to the basement.

Mr Byrnes’ funeral will take place today.