Inquest opens in deaths of Mayo couple in house fire
Tom and Eileen Mahon (née Cooper) who died in a house fire in Swinford earlier this year.
An inquest into the death of a couple who lost their lives in a house fire in Swinford has opened.
Thomas and Eileen Mahon, both in their 60s, died in a fire that engulfed their home at Deerpark on the Kilkelly Road, outside Swinford, on March 26.
The tragedy left the local community reeling.
The couple ran Mahon's Furniture and Flooring in Swinford. Thomas, aged 63, was originally from Ballaghaderren, while Eileen (nee Cooper), aged 61, was a Castlerea native.
An inquest into their deaths opened in Swinford today (Monday). A full hearing will take place at a later date once an investigation into the fire is completed.
Dr Fadel Bennani, consultant pathologist at Mayo University Hospital, said the medical cause of death for the husband and wife was severe burns due to a house fire.
Coroner Pat O’Connor sympathised with the Mahon family following their tragic loss. He said words cannot express "the horror and the tragedy". Mr O’Connor, who is from Swinford, said the Thomas and Eileen were highly respected businesspeople who were a huge part of their community.
Sgt Sean McHale sympathised with their daughters Pearl and Claire. He said he could not imagine what it would be like to lose both parents on the same day.
