The people of Kilbehenny were left stunned and shocked as news broke of the tragic death of retired farmer Ned Hyland in a blaze, which left his home in Castlequarter gutted on Tuesday night.

A fire broke out at the pensioner's home before 10pm and he raised the alarm by using a community alert personal alarm pendant, but by the time his nephew John Breedy came on the scene, the house was ablaze and could not be entered.

Locals told The Avondhu that they were deeply saddened by the tragedy, as Ned was a well known and avid farmer in his time and it is believed that the blaze took hold so quickly, that the flames and smoke could be seen from the Mitchelstown approach roads into Kilbehenny.

The fire was attended to by six fire brigade units from Mitchelstown, Fermoy and Kilmallock, as well as members of Mitchelstown Gardai and the scene was being forensically examined on Wednesday morning to ascertain the cause of the fire.

It took the fire services up to an hour to get the fire under control, but sadly Ned was found dead in an upstairs bedroom when they gained entry into the house that had turned into an inferno.

Cllr Eddie Ryan who know the Hylands well said that Ned was a lovely person and a great character and that he will be missed greatly in the community by his family and all who knew him. 

Grieving family members fondly recalled how 'Uncle Ned' as he was known to them, was very fond of his farm and was always keen to help his nephew John with fencing or counting cattle.

They described him as being a kind and generous man, who regularly visited his neighbours, enjoyed walking and loved a good conversation, but was never afraid to speak his mind.

They added that he was very fond of his nieces, nephews and their children and was always very good to them.

Ned will be deeply missed by his siblings, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, neighbours and those who knew him within the community, but particularly Margaret, John and Katy Breedy who would have spent a lot of time with Ned.

The removal is expected to take place on this Thursday evening with the funeral on Friday. Full details are yet to be confirmed.

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