INVESTIGATIONS WILL continue today into a suspected gas leak at a Co Cork hotel which left one woman dead and her sister critically ill in hospital.
The tragedy happened at the Trident Hotel in Kinsale where the two women were among a group of more than 25 women attending a hen party weekend in the town. The dead woman was named last night as Miriam Reidy from Ballyhahill, Co Limerick. Her sister Patricia is in a critical condition in Cork University Hospital. It is understood the alarm was raised just before lunchtime when the two women, who were sharing a room, failed to show up for a late breakfast and their friends became concerned.
Some of their friends went upstairs and found the two women unconscious in their first-floor room and the emergency services were alerted. Ms Reidy was pronounced dead at the scene, and her sister was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Five other people who were in the hotel also attended the hospital after complaining of breathing difficulties but they were discharged last night after treatment.
It is understood that another two people attended at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork for treatment while HSE South personnel treated a further eight people at the hotel.
The 75-bedroom hotel, which is located at the end of the Pier Road in Kinsale, was immediately evacuated and firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus vented the building.
Gardaí will today begin a technical examination of the sisters’ hotel room in a effort to confirm that the two women were overcome by carbon monoxide following a suspected gas leak.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster will carry out a post-mortem on the dead woman at CUH today which gardaí hope will establish the exact cause of death.
A Health and Safety Authority (HSA) spokesman said it was liaising with gardaí and if it transpired the death stemmed from any recent work at the hotel, HSA inspectors would launch a full investigation.
Managing director of the Trident Hotel, Hal McElroy, said in a statement last night that staff and management were deeply shocked and saddened by the death of the young woman.
“We are all devastated and shocked at the misfortunate incident that occurred in our hotel today. Firstly our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have been affected by this.
“As there are Garda and Health and Safety Authority investigations underway, we are not in a position to comment further on the actual incident, but are co-operating fully with the investigations. ”
Mr McElroy said his immediate concern was to ensure that all guests and staff were safe and looked after.
“Guests and staff have been checked by the HSE medical team, who were on site at the hotel this afternoon. While the investigation is being carried out the hotel has been temporarily evacuated. All guests have been accommodated locally.”
Fine Gael councillor Kevin Murphy, said the people of Kinsale were “rocked” by the incident.
“It is a total tragedy. It has rocked the town.”
Anyone with concerns about relatives who may have been staying at the hotel or have any queries, can call (021) 477 9300 or e-mail info@tridenthotel.com.