Three men died in a derelict house when a fire broke out in an airtight room, an inquest heard yesterday. The three were in a house in Roscommon town. The family of two of the men expressed anger at media reports that suggested they had died in a “drugs den”. Toxicology reports found the men had consumed low levels of alcohol and tranquilisers.
Ian Finn (48), who stayed at the house in St Ciaran’s Park where the fire broke out on September 13th-14th last, and John Kerr (25) and Michael Beirne (47), both of whom lived in Leggantinty, Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, all died. Mr Beirne was the partner of John Kerr’s mother, Noelle, and they had gone to visit Mr Finn .
The alarm was raised at about 8am the next day. Garda Mark Lawless said the bodies of the men were found in a locked room at the front of the house.
Coroner Des O’Connor was told at yesterday’s inquest at Ballaghderreen that the living room was sealed. The chimney was covered at the top by a sheet of lead, while the windows and doors were airtight.
State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy said all three men died quickly. It is believed the fire started in an armchair and the men were quickly overcome by fumes. She agreed with Bríd Miller, a solicitor for Mr Beirne and Mr Kerr, that the tranquilisers were commonly available sleeping tablets.
Ms Miller said: “The idea that these men were habitual drug users . . . can be nailed completely and firmly on the head.”
The jury found all three had died from inhaling toxic fumes and fire gases, with cardiac disease a contributory factor in Mr Beirne’s death. The deaths were recorded as accidental.