A FARMER who died in a house fire in Loughrea, Co Galway, this week was named yesterday as Eugene Hayes.
Mr Hayes (48), a single man, lived with his brother Michael, who made an unsuccessful attempt to save him when the fire broke out at their house at Cregg, Abbey, Loughrea, on Monday morning. Mr Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ballinakill parish priest Fr Pat Conroy spoke of deep shock in the community and of how Michael Hayes tried to save his brother.
“Eugene was asleep when the fire started. His brother Michael smelt the smoke but couldn’t get to him. It is very difficult on the family and our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
Fire crews from Portumna and Loughrea rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control.
Mr Hayes’s body was taken to University Hospital Galway for a postmortem.