Man in his 60s dies in Cork city house fire

A man who died in a house fire in the city in the early hours of Sunday has been described by neighbours as a lovely man who adored his grandchildren, regularly playing football with them outside his southside home.

The man, aged 62, has been named locally as Gary McCarthy from Noonan’s Rd.

Neighbours who spoke to The Echo said Mr McCarthy, who had lived at the house for some time, was a very kind and caring person who doted on his family.

The fire broke out in the two-storey house at around 3am on Sunday morning, with three units from Cork City Fire Brigade and members of An Garda Síochána attending the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised.

Some 14 firefighters were on the scene, and had to use breathing equipment to gain access to the premises.

Mr McCarthy was found unresponsive on the floor of an upstairs bedroom.

Treatment

He received treatment from fire crew and paramedics at the scene before being taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

The office of the state pathologist has been informed, with a postmortem examination to be carried out.

The scene was preserved and a Garda investigation to determine the cause of the fire is ongoing, but it is understood that early indications suggest the fire was accidental in nature. A file will be prepared for the coroner.

One local woman told The Echo Mr McCarthy “was an adoring grandfather, and you’d often see him out playing ball with his grandkids outside the house”.

“He was a lovely man, and he lived for those children.”

Neighbour

Another neighbour, who declined to give their name, said Mr McCarthy was a decent neighbour who always looked out for people. 

“They’re a lovely, lovely family,” she said. “I would know his daughter; she’s a fabulous person, and my heart goes out to them at this desperate time.

“He was always looking after his elderly neighbours, always looking out for people, and you’d always see him on the green with his own grandchildren. He was a lovely man, very young in himself, and he loved cars; you’d always see him cleaning the car outside the house.”

Shock

Councillor Paudie Dineen said the area was in shock.

“My sincere condolences go out to the poor man’s family and friends and neighbours; it’s very, very sad,” he said.

“It’s an awful tragedy to befall the whole area and I would like to pay tribute to the fire services, the ambulance crew, and the gardaí, who were all so promptly in attendance at the scene.”

Mr McCarthy had five children — Ross, Donna, Kalvin, Dylan, and Tristan — eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.