The victim of a house fire in Cork has been identified as Conor Downey, a convicted killer and sex offender. Downey, aged 57, was found dead after the property in which he lived caught fire on Tuesday evening. The blaze was brought under control by five units of the Cork City Fire Brigade, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
It has been revealed that Downey was a former resident of Roisin Dubh, a home in Cork for people released from prison on parole. In the months leading up to his death, firefighters had attended multiple callouts to his home for various reasons. The property, which Downey had rented for around eight years, was known for having poor ventilation and storage of flammable materials.
Downey was a well-known criminal figure in Cork, having been previously convicted on several occasions. In 2002, he was jailed for 12 years for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Marie McGrath, who had been found dead in his apartment with multiple stab wounds. Downey had also been convicted of several sexual offences, including rape and indecent assault, prior to his conviction for murder. He was released from prison in 2010, and had been living in the property where the fire occurred since 2012.
The news of Downey’s death has prompted reaction from local politicians and residents. Cork councillor Fiona Ryan expressed her condolences, noting that while Downey had a “history of very serious offences,” she hoped that his death would not be condemned. A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service also offered condolences to Downey’s family.
The incident has sparked concern over the quality of housing provided for parolees and former prisoners. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for the Irish Penal Reform Trust called for greater support for those leaving prison, including improved infrastructure and access to services. The spokesperson argued that the issue was not just one of housing, but of a lack of resources and investment in prisoner resettlement programs.
Despite the concerns raised, it is unclear at present whether the condition of the property was a factor in the cause of the fire. An investigation by the Gardaí and the Cork City Fire Brigade is currently underway to determine the circumstances of Downey’s death.
