Elderly woman (85) who died in Co Kerry fire named

The 85-year-old woman who died in a house fire in west Kerry on Saturday night has been named as Bridie Uí Chíobháin, a widow.

The two storey house where she lived alone at the Gorta Dubha two miles from Ballyferriter was gutted in the fire which broke out sometime before 9pm.

A technical examination was delayed yesterday amid fears what remained was unstable.

The alarm was raised at 9 pm and units of the fire service from Dingle and Tralee fought the blaze.

The fire was brought under control at around 10.30pm on Saturday and fire crews discovered the body of Ms Uí Chíobháin.

Her body was removed and a post mortem examination is to be carried out at Kerry General Hospital in Tralee.

Gardaí and the fire service believe the fire was accidental and are not treating it as suspicious.

Bridie Uí Chíobháin was originally from Old Parish, Co Waterford. Her late husband was Ger Uí Chíobháin who had the distinction in 1975 of being the first man to row around the coast of Ireland in a thirteen year old home made naomhóg, or currach. He later wrote about his adventure in a book entitled Cogarnach ar ár gCósta which was on the Leaving Cert Irish syllabus.

She is survived by four children, three daughters and a son, as well as grandchildren.

Locals have expressed their shock, saying Mrs Uí Chíobháin was much loved locally and while not in the best of health enjoyed living independently.