Mother and two daughters die in house fire in Co Kilkenny

THE FUNERAL arrangements for a mother and her two young daughters who died in a fire at their Co Kilkenny home on Christmas Day are due to be announced today.

Sharon Whelan (30) and her two girls, Zara (7) and Nadia (2), died after a fire broke out at their home in the village of Roscon, near Windgap, shortly after 8.30am.

It is understood neighbours had noticed flames coming from the house and rushed to the scene.

It is believed a neighbour managed to gain access to the rented farmhouse and the bodies of Ms Whelan and her two girls were discovered in the downstairs part of the house.

The bodies of the three family members were taken outside just minutes before the roof collapsed.

Ms Whelan had been living on her own with her two daughters at the farmhouse they rented in the small village near the border of south Tipperary for two years.

However, her family are long established in the area and involved in the local community.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Matt Doran said the community is in deep shock.

“This is a terrible tragedy. I was at 11 o’clock Christmas Mass and everyone in the town was totally numbed with shock,” Mr Doran said.

“Sharon comes from a family who have been in the area for a very long time and most people would know her,” he said

“This is a very small community and it has been devastated by this tragedy,” he added.

Two units of Kilkenny and Callan fire brigade attended the scene, one mile from Windgap, and brought the fire under control shortly before 10am.

The bodies of Ms Whelan and her two daughters were discovered inside.

Ms Whelan’s parents Christy and Nancy live less than a mile from the house and were being comforted by family and friends last night.

Members of the Garda Technical Bureau carried out a series of forensic examinations of the house on Christmas Day and returned yesterday to continue their investigations.

Gardaí said it was too early to determine the exact cause of the fire, but it is thought that the blaze was not started deliberately.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) said its counselling services were available to anyone affected by the tragedy.

Those seeking help can contact St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny on 056 7785000 where they can make contact with a member of the HSE psychology services.