Woman dies in Limerick house fire

A mother of two has died in a house fire in Limerick, which is believed to have been started by a lit cigarette.

Geraldine Keane (47) was found dead in her bed in a house she shared with her partner Patsy Downes at Daly’s Avenue in Janesboro.

The body of the grandmother of one was discovered in an upstairs bedroom by firemen who were alerted to the blaze shortly after midnight.

Ms Keane, who has a son and daughter from a previous relationship, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her devastated partner Patsy said they had been socialising together in a club before he dropped her home. He then went to a local pub.

“She went into bed. I put her into bed. I took matches off her so she wouldn’t light a cigarette. Obviously she found a lighter and lit a fag... and she probably fell asleep,” Mr Downes said.

Paying an emotional tribute to his partner of 11 years, Mr Downes (67) said: “She was a jovial person. She lived singing and dancing. She was a gentle soul.”

Ms Keane’s body was removed from the house at around 9.30am this morning and a post mortem will be carried out at University Hospital Limerick.

Gardaí at Roxboro Raod are conducting house to house enquiries but do not believe the fire was started maliciously. They can be contacted on 061-214340.