Tubber fire claims lives of father and son

THE father and son who died tragically in North Clare at the weekend were laid to rest on Wednesday.
Mossy and James Quinn died in a fire at their home in Kiltacky More about one mile from Boston, Tubber. The two men perished after their two-storey farmhouse was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The fire was discovered at 7.30am and the men’s bodies were recovered at 10am before being taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for a post-mortem examination.
“It is shocking. I haven’t seen as much grief as I’ve seen here at the weekend anywhere, ever. I hope I never see it again. People, local groups, families and individuals, have come out in great strength to support the Quinn family in different ways. It has been really amazing,” said family friend and Tubber publican, Gerry Finnerty.
The Quinn family are very popular in the area. Mossy was one of eight siblings and he and his late wife, Margaret, reared seven children, including James.
“Mossy was a man of few words. Both he and James were sincere gentlemen. I would describe them as the salt of the earth as are the whole family. I had the privilege of knowing Margaret who died seven years ago. The family have had real devastation. They have seen their father die and the youngest member of the family die and also now the family home is gone,” said Mr Finnerty.
The Galway county councillor was among the last to see Mossy Quinn alive.
“Mossy was a farmer and a regular sight in the mart in Gort. Both he and James were regular customers of mine. I had the distinction of being one of the last men to speak to Mossy while he was alive. He was in the bar on Friday night and we were talking about agribusiness and the price of cattle. He was in good form. He stayed behind for a few minutes to speak to myself and another man and we would have been the last people to talk to him,” Councillor Finnerty recalled.
Mossy and James Quinn are survived by Mossy’s other children, James’ siblings Enda, Jimmy and Damien who live near the family home in Boston; Áine and Eoin also in Clare; Mairéad in England and Bríd in Australia.
“The Quinn family are very well known and highly respected in both farming and GAA circles. Mossy is an uncle of Clare hurler Gerry Quinn. Both Mossy and his family played hurling with Tubber. They were good neighbours and will be sorely missed by this community,” said Clare County Councillor and Tubber man Michael Kelly.
“The people of Boston and Tubber and the wider community are deeply shocked and numbed by the death of Mossy Quinn and his son, James, in this terrible tragedy. It is made worse because it is the family home, a place that would hold memories for all the members of the family,” he continued.
The bodies of Mossy and James Quinn were buried in Kiltacky Cemetery after their funeral mass on Wednesday at midday. Those attending the funeral were asked not to bring flowers but instead to make donations to Clare and Galway Fire and Rescue Services who attended Saturday’s fire. Gardaí at Ennis are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the fatal house fire. Witnesses to the fire are asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100 or the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.