An elderly couple died in a house fire in Co Mayo last night.
The husband and wife in their 80s were found dead in the sittingroom of the house in Crossmolina at 9 p.m.
They wer named this afternoon as Mr Donal O'Neill and his wife Una.
"I would say they died of smoke inhalation," said Mr Michael O'Brien, Crossmolina fire station officer.
"On our arrival the front room was engulfed in flames. We were told that there were two people inside so we took breathing apparatus inside immediately and found the two bodies sitting in the front room.
"It was a very sad night for the town. They were a very loveable couple, I would say they have been in the town for 40 years," he said. Mr O'Brien said neighbours raised the alarm.
Gardaí are examining the scene, but foul play is not suspected.
