Fire victim

Ballina fire victim loses battle for life

Anna-Marie Flynn

GARDA investigations have now commenced after a house fire in Ballina over a week ago claimed the life of a 27-year-old man at the weekend.
Joseph Sweeney, McDermott Street, and formerly of Ballinahaglish, Ballina, died on Saturday morning at St James’s Hospital, Dublin as a result of injuries sustained in the fire at his home six days previously.
Gardaí in Ballina began investigations immediately after the fire which they are continuing to treat as ‘suspicious’. A 66-year-old man was arrested in connection with the fire on Wednesday last and he was released without charge from custody on Friday.
A file is currently being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Sweeney and his parents were in the house at the time the fire broke out on Sunday, May 11. All three were removed to Mayo General Hospital and the deceased was later transferred to St James’s Hospital in Dublin with very serious burn injuries. He was thought to have sustained severe burns while making his way out of the blaze.
Joseph Sweeney is survived by his parents Rita and John (known locally as Bertie) sisters Mary and Anna, and brothers Stewart and Anthony. The death of Joseph is the latest in a line of cruel blows dealt to the family after his brothers Stephen and Bertie both died in tragic circumstances.
A former neighbour of the family in the village of Ballinahaglish described the news as ‘calamitous’ for the Sweeneys. “This is devastating; this family has been through so much already. Joseph was a lovely, pleasant lad when he was growing up here. He always had a smile on his face; attended Rehins National School and was just a lovely young boy. Everyone is in a state of shock about this. It is just so sad.”
At the time of going to print, funeral arrangements were not finalised.