The sister of a homeless man who died after being burned in a house fire told Dublin Coroner’s Court a Garda had alerted her to rumours that petrol was thrown on him.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell adjourned to October 16th the inquest into the death of Philip O’Connor (44), of no fixed abode, to secure the presence of more witnesses to the incident after hearing the family’s concerns.
Mr O’Connor died at St James’s Hospital on October 24th last year after the fire in Darcystown, Balbriggan, 11 days previously.
His sister Fiona O’Connor told the court she had been contacted by a Garda from Balbriggan station and asked whether she could confirm there were rumours that petrol had been poured over her brother.
Garda Patrick Kelly said one of Mr O’Connor’s friends had shouted at the scene that “someone had started” the fire.
Garda Gerard Moroney said an inquiry concluded the fire was a “tragic accident”.