Tributes to 'gentleman' who died in housefire in Kerry

No one else was injured in the fire.

The Late Johnny ‘The Rock’ O’Brien, from Glenflesk, on the summit of the Paps of Anú, to celebrate Winter Solstice 2019, in aid of Kerry Hospice Foundation Palliative Care. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan

A man who died in a fire at his home outside Killarney has been remembered as "a gentleman".

Johnny O'Brien, known locally as 'The Rock', had been due to climb a mountain for charity yesterday.

However, a fire broke out at his home in Glenflesk in the early hours of the morning. It was already at an advanced stage when fire services arrived.

It is understood no one else was injured.

The Late Johnny 'The Rock' O'Brien, heading back to his flooded house after rescuing his sheep and guiding them to higher ground, during Storm Desmond in Glenflesk, Co Kerry. Photo:Valerie O'Sullivan

“It’s a tragic loss of life of a gentleman,” Niall Kelleher, Fianna Fáil councillor and Cathaoirleach for the Killarney Municipal District, said.

“He was a bachelor farmer, a very kind man who farmed and lived his life on his farm. It’s tragic news at any time of the year and I’m sure very difficult for the entire community."

Mr O'Brien was among those who was due to climb the Western Pap Mountain to raise money for the Brian Lawlor Trust and Kerry Cancer Support. Climbers were to bring the Sam Maguire up with them as part of the fundraiser.

“It’s a real, real tragedy,” Independent local councillor Donal Grady said.

“He was a lovely man, a gentleman. He’ll be missed by the community and it will be tough for his brother, they were close."

A Garda spokesperson confirmed that a body was recovered from the house.

"A post mortem will direct the course of any investigation and a technical investigation of the scene will be conducted," they said.

"No other injuries have been reported and garda enquiries are ongoing."

This is the second fire tragedy to hit Munster over the Christmas period.

On Friday, a man in his 80s died following a house fire in Carrigaline, Co Cork.

The fire — which broke out at a house in The Court in the Waterpark area of Carrigaline — was reported to have destroyed a house but was eventually contained.

Gardaí said the occupant of the house, a man in his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene.