AN ELDERLY farmer died as he tried to retrieve a vehicle from a shed after a fire broke out in his farmyard. John Lardner (76), died in the incident at Bodane, Kilconly, near Tuam, Co Galway, at about 10pm on Wednesday night.
Four units of the fire brigade from Tuam and Ballinrobe were joined by locals in a bid to save Mr Lardner.
The fire broke out in a shed and Mr Lardner attempted to battle his way through the smoke to retrieve a vehicle which was parked inside. He was unable to remove the vehicle and was overcome by the intense smoke and heat. Efforts were made to save him but he was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to University College Hospital for a postmortem.
Forensic experts were yesterday sifting through the badly damaged shed in an attempt to discover how the blaze started.
Neighbours were yesterday comforting his wife Brigid, sons Patrick, John and Michael, and daughters Ann and Mary.
Mayor of Co Galway Tom McHugh said Mr Lardner “was well known and well respected”.