Gas leak ruled out as Garda technical experts probe deaths
Bord Gáis engineers were called to Drumalee Court near North Circular Road in Dublin following the grim discovery but established that while the complex is serviced by natural gas, the supply had not been used at the flat for several years.
Engineers also examined adjoining properties but found no evidence of gas leaks. Investigations led by the Garda Technical Bureau were continuing last night into the possibility that the couple died of carbon monoxide poisoning from an alternate heating source or cooking appliance.
The bodies of the couple, a man in his 60s who lived at the flat and his partner, a woman in her 50s who was visiting him, were discovered at lunchtime yesterday but they may have died during the night, was one of the coldest this winter.
The two-storey complex owned by Dublin City Council has about 70 one-bedroomed units, mainly for older people and single tenants and is part of the wider local authority Drumalee estate.
The names of the deceased were being withheld until all relatives could be informed but local people said the dead man was originally from the midlands but had lived in Dublin for some time and was a resident at Drumalee Court for about six years. He lived in a first floor flat and only had a balcony but he had turned it into a tiny garden and was well-known for the pride he took in it.
Drumalee is in the constituency of Minister of State Joe Costello who attended the scene of the tragedy last night and paid tribute to the deceased, recalling how he loved to sing and had entertained neighbours at the community’s annual party shortly before Christmas.
A neighbour living a few doors away said the community in the complex was tight-knit and was very shocked and saddened by the deaths. Dublin City Council said it would be co-operating with the Garda investigation. It is not clear whether there was a carbon monoxide alarm in the flat, as tenants are responsible for providing their own.
On average six lives are lost each year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning which can occur when filters, grills or flues become blocked on appliances that burn solid fuel including gas, coal and wood.
In one of the worst tragedies in recent times, dad Trevor Wallwork, his 12-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son were found dead at their home in Co Sligo the week before Christmas 2011 after a crisp bag blocked their chimney and carbon monoxide seeped into their living room, overcoming them as they sat watching television.
