A MIDDLE-AGED couple lost their lives early yesterday when smoke engulfed their local authority home in northwest Co Mayo.
They were named locally as Stephen and Josie Carey from the townland of Muings, Barnatra, near Belmullet.
The couple were last seen on Sunday night when socialising in the nearby town of Bangor Erris.
The tragedy was discovered yesterday morning when a friend called to visit.
According to a spokesman for the fire service, there was little damage to the house apart from smoke damage.
The house was cordoned off yesterday pending an examination of the scene by Garda forensic experts to try and determine the cause of the outbreak.
The remains of the couple were expected to be taken to Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar last night for postmortem examinations.
The local community in the Barnatra and wider areas were stunned by the deaths of the Careys, who have four children, none of them now living in the Co Mayo area.
Gerry Coyle, a member of Mayo County Council, said the couple had deep local connections and were extremely popular.
“They came home from England some years ago and were always coming and going there.”
Mr Carey was a tradesman and handyman and was well known in the Erris area.
Local priest Fr Francis Judge administered the last rites to the couple in their cottage.
He said last night: “This is an awful tragedy. Stephen and Josie were greatly loved in the community. They were such jolly and loveable persons.”