Coroner expresses sympathies to family of couple who died in Swinford fire

A Swinford couple died after suffering severe burns following a fire in their home in March, the inquest into their deaths has heard.

Thomas Mahon (63) of Deerpark, Swinford and his wife Eileen (61) both died when their home caught fire in the early hours on March 26 last.

The inquests into their deaths opened in Swinford Courthouse yesterday (Monday) afternoon where evidence was given into the cause of their deaths. Dr Fadel Bennani, Consultant Pathologist in Mayo University Hospital who performed the post mortems after their deaths, confirmed that they both died as a result of severe burns due to a house fire.

Patrick O’Connor, Coroner for Mayo adjourned the inquest pending the conclusion of the Garda investigation into the deaths and the start of the fire on the night.

Mr and Mrs McMahon were both respected business people in Swinford and Mr O’Connor expressed sympathy to their two daughters, Pearl and Claire, on their tragic loss.

“It remains for me to sympathise as far as words can express the horror and tragedy of both passings so suddenly. They were highly respected business people and highly involved in the community and greatly respected. This was a severe and dreadful tragedy in a small community,” he said.

Sergeant Seán McHale, the court presenter also expressed his sympathy to the family of Mr and Mrs Mahon while Brendan Donnelly, solicitor for the Mahon family, thanked everyone for their kind words.