A MEMORIAL mass will be held in Ennis, Co Clare, today for an Irish-American family who perished in a fire at their home in New Jersey in the United States five weeks ago.
Originally from Clonroad in Ennis, Michael “Hooper” Glynn (48), his American wife Heather (42) and their daughter Tara (six) died in a fire at their home in Toms River on February 27th.
The family had moved to the area from Bayonne, New Jersey, in 2006 after Mr Glynn emigrated to the US in the 1980s.
The family died following a “fast-moving” fire at their home in the early hours of the morning. Mr Glynn’s body was discovered by police officers just inside the front door of the house while his wife was found in an upstairs bathroom.
Tara was later discovered beneath a bed.
All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
County prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford later described the family’s death as a “tremendous and shocking loss” for Toms River and confirmed that police were treating the deaths as accidental.
The medical examiner who carried out the postmortem examinations confirmed the three had died from toxic smoke inhalation.
Mr Glynn was employed as a maintenance worker by Duro Bag Manufacturing Company in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he was also a union representative.
Company personnel director Damaris Gonzalez said his death was “very hard” for the company.
She added that he was a “proud father” who always had a picture of his daughter.
Members of the local Éire Óg GAA club in Ennis will provide a guard of honour at the town’s cathedral.
Hundreds of friends and locals are also expected to attend today’s service.
Mr Glynn had been an accomplished hurler and footballer and played for Éire Óg where his late father Christy had been a chairman.
John Glynn, a brother of Michael, travelled to Bayonne last month where the funerals of the three victims were held.
Mr Glynn’s parents, Mary Frances and Christy Glynn, predeceased him.
He is survived by his brothers Paul and John and sisters Mary, Ruth and Edel.
Following today’s memorial service, a burial of ashes ceremony will take place at Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis.