Nobody could have survived Killarney gas blast, says coroner

A coroner’s court has heard how hotels and nearby buildings were evacuated and guests rescued from bedrooms in the wake of an early-morning gas explosion at a Killarney town centre laundrette three years ago.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death in accordance with the medical findings at the inquest into the death of 59-year-old James Gleeson, the owner of the laundry, on July 13, 2013.

One woman was stranded in an apartment over the building at the centre of the explosion and rubble and clothing were blown onto rooftops. The laundrette was demolished and there was a strong smell of gas from the premises.