Tipperary village 'numb' after father and son die in house fire

Vivienne Clarke

Two men who died in a house fire in Co Tipperary on Sunday night have been described as “treasured members of the community” by a local representative.

The pair, named locally as retired Eircom employee Stephen Lee (80s) and his son John (50s), died when the blaze erupted in the former’s home on McDonagh Terrace, Littleton.

Gardaí on Monday said the scene was being preserved for technical examination and investigations are ongoing. However, it is understood that foul play is not suspected.

Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Ryan said the village was numb following the deaths of the father and son.

"There is just complete and utter devastation," he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland. "This tragedy happened in our village.

"It's beyond comprehension. And I think it is just a complete and utter sense of disbelief in the locality. Just absolute disbelief.

"And if I could just take this opportunity to thank the emergency services for all the help they gave and to all the neighbours who did everything they possibly could.

"It's just a complete and utter tragedy. And of course, as a community over the next couple of days, weeks and months, all we can do is be there for the family rally around them and every support that we can give them. Anything we can do to help them."

Parish priest Fr Tom Fogarty said Stephen was a very quiet, honest, unassuming man.

“Everybody knew him, his gentle smile and I suppose deep sincerity and unassuming personality endeared him to everybody. He was just a lovely gentleman. And actually, I remember meeting him 24 hours before the accident with his daughter Karen on his way to go and visit his wife's grave as he did almost every day.”