A lamp that fell on to a couch was identified as the likely cause of a fire that claimed the life of a 26-year-old Dublin woman who died in a house fire in Limerick last May.
Grace McDermott, a lecturer at Dublin City University, had taken part in the Great Limerick Run over the May bank holiday weekend and, having lost the key to her hotel room, stayed at a friend’s house.
An inquest into her death in Limerick yesterday heard that she died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a lamp that was missing its base fell over on to a couch in the bedroom where she was sleeping in the early hours of Monday, May 1, 2017.
Forensic scientist Paul Collins said that if the couch had been compliant with the highest fire safety standards, it may not have occurred.
Three men and another woman who were in the house at The Oaks, Riverbank, Annacotty, escaped uninjured.
Ms McDermott’s fiancé, Colin O’Neill, told the inquest that Gardaí returned the engagement ring he gave her. The couple met in Australia in 2012.
Cathal Sheridan, a friend of Ms McDermott’s, who invited her back to the house, described how he tried to rescue her but was held back by his fellow housemates.
“My abiding memory is roaring Grace’s name. She was the nicest girl you could ever meet; the smartest, most intelligent girl,” Mr Sheridan said.
He said a number of unfortunate events had led to Ms McDermott staying at her friend’s house after she had become separated from another friend who she had planned to stay with in the Travelodge hotel.
Mr McNamara said he intended to contact the Department of the Environment, recommending smoke detectors be fitted in every bedroom of every new home in the future, as a mandatory safety measure.
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