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Sunday World
5 hours ago
- Sunday World
Pensioner who died in Roscommon house fire overnight is named locally
The man who has been named locally as Des Deegan (72) died in a fire at a house in The Oaks housing estate, Frenchpark, Co Roscommon. Des Deegan (72) died in a fire at a house in The Oaks housing estate Tributes are being paid to a devoted partner who died in a Roscommon house fire overnight. The man who has been named locally as Des Deegan (72) died in a fire at a house in The Oaks housing estate, Frenchpark, Co Roscommon. Emergency services were called to the house in an estate shortly before 7pm on Wednesday evening June 18th. Locals said that Mr Deegan, who was originally from Dublin, was a devoted partner to Alice Hetherton (63). The couple had lived at French Park for the past 25 years having met in London and lived in Kerry for a number of years previously. Tragically, Ms Hetherton suffered a serious bleed on the brain and an aneurysm in 2023 and, as a result, was admitted to a nursing home in the area in July 2024. Mr Deegan had launched a campaign locally to adapt the house and bring her home and had set up a Go-fundme page in April of this year. Locals say he had spoken on local radio about his campaign on a number of occasions. Des Deegan (72) died in a fire at a house in The Oaks housing estate News in 90 Seconds - June 20th Speaking at the time he said: 'I've started this fundraiser on behalf of my partner Alice Hetherton, formerly of Oldcastle Co Meath. "Alice is 63 years old, she has worked all her life caring for others as a care worker in hospitals and nursing homes across the UK and Ireland. "Ironically, Alice finds herself now in need of the support she has given to others''. To date the fundraiser has raised almost €7,000. In a statement Gardai said Fire services extinguished the blaze and the body of a man was recovered. His remains were removed from the scene to University Hospital Galway, where a post-mortem examination will be carried out. The scene remains sealed off for a technical examination. It is unclear what caused the fire, with witnesses reporting an explosion just before the blaze broke out. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet.
The Journal
18 hours ago
- The Journal
Man killed after explosion and fire at house in Co Roscommon named locally as Des Deegan (72)
LAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago TRIBUTES ARE BEING paid to a devoted partner who died in a Roscommon house fire overnight. The man has been named locally as Des Deegan, aged 72. The fire happened at a housing estate on the Boyle Road near Frenchpark village, which is around 30km north of Roscommon town. Gardaí and emergency services responded to the scene. Gardaí were made aware of the incident at 7.15pm, a spokesperson said, and the fire was extinguished by fire services. Emergency services are understood to have responded to reports very quickly. Roscommon County Council said fire units from Ballaghaderreen and Boyle Fire Stations numbering 20 personnel responded to the scene. Gardaí, ambulance staff and an air ambulance also attended the scene. Specialist excavation equipment was used at the scene to assist in emergency operations. Smoke from the blaze could be seen from a great distance away, and it is understood that local residents heard an explosion immediately before the fire. The aftermath of the blaze today. Courtesy of Shannonside FM Courtesy of Shannonside FM The scene remains sealed off for technical examinations and enquiries are ongoing. Gardaí are investigating to determine the cause of the fire, which is not yet known. Locals said that Mr Deegan, who was originally from Dublin, was a devoted partner to Alice Hetherton (63). The couple had lived at French Park for the past 25 years having met in London and lived in Kerry for a number of years previously. Tragically, Ms Hetherton suffered a serious bleed on the brain and an aneurysm in 2023 and as a result was admitted to a nursing home in the area in July 2024. Mr Deegan had launched a campaign locally to adapt the house and bring her home and had set up a Go-fundme page in April of this year. Advertisement Locals say he had spoken on local radio about his campaign on a number of occasions. To date the fundraiser has raised almost €7,000. 'Terrible tragedy' Independent councillor for the area Micheál Frain, who is also the station officer at Ballaghaderreen Fire Brigade, described last night's incident as a 'tragic event', adding that news of the blaze has been difficult for the town of Frenchpark. He said his thoughts and prayers are with the man's family and the 'great community' of Frenchpark. Fellow local councillor Valerie Byrne said the news of the event has 'shocked everyone' and described the event as a 'terrible tragedy'. She also extended her condolences to the man's family. Independent Ireland MEP Ciarán Mullooly said last night that his 'heart goes out to all those affected by this horrific blaze'. A number of adjoining properties suffered structural and roof damage as a result of the fire. One neighbour, Bernard Finley, told Virgin Media News that the explosion 'rattled the whole village'. 'It basically broke the front part of my house nearly off,' he said, adding that debris from the deceased's home had struck the front of his home, despite being a good 60 metres away. 'It was crazy. That's all I can say,' Finley said. 'I'm still in shock over it. I haven't slept much last night thinking about the poor man.' Frenchpark parish priest Fr Michael Donnelly told Virgin Media News that he felt 'pure numbness, but yet, feeling lucky'. He said the green around the estate is always full of children and said it was fortunate that there had only been one fatality from the incident. With reporting by Sean Ryan, Muiris Ó Cearbhaill and Jane Moore Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
