Man who died in Oz fire emigrated 6 weeks ago

A YOUNG man who had emigrated to Australia only six weeks previously died at the weekend in a fire believed to have been caused by a gas bottle explosion.

Kieran Tynan, 22, the eldest of a family of four from Lisacul, Castlerea, Co Roscommon, was the only occupant of a kitchenette which was consumed by flames on Saturday morning.

The tragedy occurred in the town of New Norcia, about 130km north of Perth. The blaze occurred on a private farm, Mackie Hay Plant, which employs overseas workers who live on site during the hay-cutting season.

News of the tragedy caused deep sadness and distress when it filtered through to the Lisacul community at the weekend.

One neighbour of the Tynans said: “This is a bitter blow to everybody, particularly the family who are very well-liked. Kieran was doing farm work but had just got a job as a welder. He was looking forward to his new life in Australia.”

He was the eldest child of Martin and Margaret Tynan. The couple, who are farmers, have three younger children, two boys and a girl.

Parish priest Fr Brendan McDonagh led prayers for the victim and his family at Masses over the weekend.

Other Irish people who worked with Mr Tynan in the hay processing plant escaped the blaze as they lived in separate quarters.

Tony Thompson, a spokesman for hay exporting company Gilmac, said workers in the close-knit farmhand team were devastated.

“Our sympathy goes out to them,” he said.

“For a family that is so far away this is going to be devastating,” he added.