A jury in the inquest into the death of 86-year-old Bridget McGinley from Slate Row, Carrick, Carrigart, unanimously returned a verdict of death due to injuries from a severe burning received during a fire at her home.

A recent sitting of Letterkenny Coroner's Court heard the tragic circumstances under which Bridget McGinley died in December of last year.

Garda Marie Dooley said that on December 19 last at 5.55pm she received a call to go to the scene of a fatal fire at Slate Row, Carrick, Carrigart.

On arrival she found the remains of Bridget McGinley by the sink in the scullery area. She said it appeared as if the clothes of the deceased had caught fire from the open fire in the sitting room and she had collapsed attempting to extinguish the fire.

Garda Dooley added that Bridget McGinley had been living on her own and her closest neighbour, Margaret Cullen lived approximately one hundred metres away.

A deposition prepared by Margaret Cullen stated that she had been a neighbour of Bridget McGinley's since August 1973. At 2am on the 19th December Margaret Cullen received a phone call from Bridget McGinley who said she felt unwell.

She got out of bed and went to Bridget's house where she found her lying awkwardly in her bed complaining of pains in her stomach and back. Margaret asked Bridget if she wanted her to call the NowDoc but Bridget told her to go home. Later that morning at 8am Margaret called to the house again and Bridget said she wanted to see Dr Mee. After 9am Dr Mee called to examine her and shortly after he left he phoned to say that she should be admitted to Letterkenny Hospital.

At 11am an ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital. At 3pm she was told she could go home and her nephew, Patrick McClafferty left to pick her up and her niece called to her house to set the fire.

At 4.05pm Margaret Cullen had gone for a walk and her sons Hugh and Martin were in the front garden untangling Christmas lights. When she came back from her walk she went to check on Bridget.

WEE FLAME

Margaret stated: "I could see a wee flame in the scullery and I went to the bedroom to check for Bridget but then I saw her crouched on the floor on fire at the sink." Margaret called to her son Martin "I came on a bad scene" and he ran to get a hose. This wouldn't reach into the house, however, and as Hugh Cullen phoned for the fire brigade Margaret and Martin Cullen got buckets of water from their house to put the fire out.

On questioning by the coroner John Cannon, Margaret Cullen explained: "Bridget was a very independent person. She wouldn't like to trouble anyone if she could help it."

Martin Cullen stated: "I ran in the door and I saw Bridget on the floor with her left arm burning. The floor covering was burning as well and I knew I had to do something."

Bridget's nephew, Patrick McClafferty had spent the day at the hospital with her. When he left her home he stated: "The fire had died out, but I got it going again. Bridget took off her cardigan and put on her cross-over apron which I tied at the back for her."

He added that they sat in front of the fire chatting for a while and he left to feed cattle in Coole, Cranford. The fire was no bigger than usual. Within the hour, Patrick received a call from Margaret Cullen who said there had been a fire in Bridget's house.

Mr John Cannon enquired further about the apron worn by Bridget McGinley to ascertain if this could have been the piece of clothing which caught fire. Mr McClafferty explained that it was a long apron worn by "older ladies" which tied at the back. He added: "It is not a loose garment, it is tight to the body but it is quite long."

Mr McClafferty also said that his aunt had been "quite happy" living on her own since her two brothers died in 2000. He added that she was very close to her neighbours, the Cullens.

Garda John Martin, scene of crime investigator, stationed in Letterkenny said he arrived at the scene at 7.45pm. He said the vinyl floor covering in small scullery was wet and Bridget McGinley was in a seated position with her left arm raised onto the counter-top.

He added that her position was consistent with having been in an upright position when the fire took hold. Garda Martin also said there was no evidence of a fire guard in place in the open hearth fire. Garda Martin explained the burnt droplets of material in the kitchen were as a result of Bridget McGinley making her way to the sink in an attempt to extinguish the fire. He said also that the kettles were in use at the hearth fire and the deceased could have moved closer to the flames than she intended to.

INJURIES

Dr Dillon, a pathologist at Letterkenny General Hospital said the body was identified to her on December 20. Her hair was stained with soot and she had extensive burns to her left-hand side. A total of 75 per cent of the body had sustained injuries from burning and her blood was cherry-red which would indicate the presence of carbon monoxide. She concluded that death was due to severe burning.

NEIGHBOURLINESS

Mr Cannon directed the jury to find their verdict in accordance with the medical evidence presented to the court.

"The evidence of this case reveals the horrific and tragic details of the final minutes which lead to the death of this elderly and gentle lady."

"It highlights the risk of the elderly living alone. It also shows the need for constant vigilance required to maintain the safety and well-being in giving independence to the elderly at the end of their lives. Precautions for their well-being should be in place such as fire guards and smoke alarms."

Mr Cannon added: "Bridget McGinley was under the watchful eye of the Cullens and was aware of that she had them to turn to. If it wasn't for that very fact things would have been worse. And indeed, it is nice to see that neighbourliness still exists in Ireland." The sympathy of the Coroner, Gardai and the jury was extended to the family and friends of Bridget McGinley.