Gardaí in Gort, Co Galway, are investigating the cause of a caravan fire that claimed the life of a man just outside the village of Kinvara early yesterday morning.
The man, whose name has not yet been released, was discovered after the Gort fire brigade was called to put out a fire in a caravan at Ballybrangan on the Ballyvaughan road. No other caravans were involved in the blaze, which was reported to the emergency services soon after 5am.
Shortly after the blaze was extinguished the man's body was located inside the vehicle at about 5.40am.
The caravan was very badly damaged, according to Gort gardaí, who said much of the evidence that might assist in the investigation appeared to have been destroyed.
It is understood that the man used the caravan regularly, and was the only occupant at the time.
An eyewitness, Martina Smith, expressed shock at the circumstances yesterday. "We saw the fire and didn't realise there was anyone in it at all," she said.
State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a preliminary investigation at the caravan park, and the man's body was then removed to University College Hospital, Galway for a postmortem.
Supt Con Cadogan, who is leading the investigation, appealed for anyone with information that might assist the inquiry to contact Gort gardaí at 091-636400.
Last year a young Co Clare student's death in a fire in a mobile home near Kinvara prompted a murder investigation by gardaí. It was believed at the time that Emer O'Loughlin (20), of Ennistymon, Co Clare, may have known her assailant.
Three people were arrested some six weeks after the incident under section 9 of the Offences against the State Act, and released without charge. A file was prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.