Tributes paid to victim of freak fire accident in Limerick
Cllr Jerome Scanlan: Tragic death 'shocking' for local community
TRIBUTES have been paid to the Dromcollogher grandfather who tragically died this week after suffering severe burns in a freak accident at his home.
Eamon O’Sullivan, 79, died on Monday evening at Cork University Hospital after suffering extensive burn injuries caused when his clothes caught fire at his home at Carraward at approximately midday.
He was airlifted by helicopter to the burns ward at Cork University Hospital after receiving treatment at the scene from the emergency services, but died late on Monday night.
Mr O’Sullivan is a member of a well-known local family with roots spreading into a number of nearby parishes, and is survived by his wife, Nancy, their five sons and one daughter, as well as four sisters and three brothers.
Local councillor Jerome Scanlan described Mr O’Sullivan as “one of the elders of the community in Dromcollogher”, and said that his death was “an absolute tragedy”.
“It’s shocking. He was a very independent gentleman, and he took great pride from his independence. He was a very quiet, unassuming man.
“An event like that is an absolute tragedy for everyone in the family. There’s very little anyone can do, except have the family in our thoughts and prayers”.
The alarm was raised shortly after noon on Monday. Mr O’Sullivan is understood to have been lighting a fire at his home when the flames suddenly caught on to his clothes.
Two units of the Newcastle West fire service, an ambulance and an advance paramedic all attended the scene a short time later, and worked for over an hour-and-a-half to stabilise the victim, applying burn gel to his injuries.
Mr O’Sullivan was understood to have been conscious and in a state of shock at this time.
An air ambulance landed in the town’s GAA pitch soon after that, and Mr O’Sullivan was flown to Cork University Hospital for treatment, where he died a number of hours later.
Mr O’Sullivan comes from a family with long-standing connections in the local community. A native of the Ross Line, his mother was post mistress in Dromcollogher for a number of years.
His wife, Nancy, née Fitzmaurice, is a native of Bohard, Dromcollogher, and currently receives nursing home care in Newcastle West. Together they have five sons: Eddie, Bertie, Pat, Nessan and Tony, as well as a daughter, Betty.
Mr O’Sullivan is also survived by his brothers John, Tom and Joe, and sisters Mary, Margaret, Nell and Cathy.
He also has a number of grandchildren, and is predeceased by his brother Andrew. He also has a large extended family.
Mr O’Sullivan’s funeral Mass was due to take place in Dromcollogher this Thursday afternoon, with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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