Neighbours tell of their shock at fire deaths

Neighbours on the quiet cul-de-sac at Glenvara Park in Knocklyon, Co Dublin, where the bodies of Joe and Sheila Power were found yesterday, said they were shocked by the unexpected deaths.

"I knew them as neighbours. I knew them to see [ and] I knew the children when they used to be around here. It's terrible," said one man.

"They were very quiet and private. It's a nice road, but it's quiet and reserved - people keep to themselves.

"He was very kind and caring to her. They were nice people. I thought the ambulance was coming to take someone to hospital. It's shocking."

There were no visible signs last night of the fire that claimed the two lives. One of the couple's neighbours said he had last seen them several weeks ago. "They were lovely people - quiet, but very good people."

Another family who live nearby said there was a smell of smoke in the area early yesterday morning, but that they presumed it was coming from one of the bins on the street.

A married couple across the road from the Powers' home said they had moved into the area at about the same time some 20 years ago.

She said the couple had "come well out of it" after Mrs Power suffered a stroke some years ago. Because of her reduced mobility, a ramp had been fitted to the house and a downstairs room had been converted to a bedroom.

"There would always be people around here you could call on - it's that sort of place. It's very sad. We came back and the neighbour here told us they were both dead. It's extraordinary."