Parrot hailed as hero as fire guts owner’s home

A pet parrot is being hailed as a hero after he saved the life of a Meath man whose home was gutted by fire this week.

Nigel O’Connor’s beloved BoBo woke him up by squawking as flames took hold of his cottage in Meath Hill early on Monday.

Nigel managed to get himself and BoBo to safety but he was unable to save his three cockatiels, who perished in the fire.

The 47-year-old, who remains shaken from the incident, said: “I was fast asleep when I heard BoBo squawking loudly at about 4am.

“Sometimes this happens when he falls off his perch and I have to settle him, but when I saw the sparks coming from the sockets and all the smoke I knew I had to get out quickly.

“With all the smoke, I could only see Bobo’s cage so I grabbed him and got out. As I stood outside bewildered and in shock, a Meath County Council worker who was out gritting the roads helped me to contact the emergency services.

“I’ve had Bobo 17 years and I know that only for him I might not be here today. As it is, I’ve lost my three cockatiels who I’ve had for up to 15 years as well as my home and my belongings.

“Bobo talks and at this time of the year usually sings ‘Jingle Bells’ and says ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’. Now, he’s in shock and has just been sitting in his cage since the fire without any sound.”

Nigel, who lived alone in his home at Largy, Meath Hill, for over a decade, is now staying with his mother in Castletown, Navan, while he gets to grip with the loss of his home and feathered friends.

He said the fire has destroyed his kitchen and roof and caused extensive smoke damage to the rest of his home. Unfortunately, an oversight meant that his house was uninsured at the time of the fire, but his community is rallying around him in an effort to rebuild his home.

Local activist Pat Cusack is spearheading the campaign and has gained the support of nearby Kingscourt Credit Union who, he said, are facilitating anyone who would like to make a donation.

He said: “Nigel is very well regarded in the community and it’s terrible that at this time of the year he has to face Christmas without his home and most of his pets.

“Only for BoBo things could have been a lot worse. It’s at a time like this that the community gets together to help out, despite their own hardships, and I know with the generosity of spirit there is in this area that we’ll have Nigel back in his home in the New Year.

“If there are any volunteers or tradesman out there that are willing to give us a hand we’re meeting at the Barrack Pub in Meath Hill at 11am [today]... to start a clean-up. Further details can be obtained at our Facebook page DIYSOS”