Touching tributes to mother and son who died in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan are named locally as Michael and Kathleen Lynch

Michael Lynch and his mother Kathleen died in the fire on the outskirts of Ballyjamesduff in Co Cavan.

Local people have recognized Michael and Kathleen as champions of the local community and the GAA club, with a touching tribute recalling that Mrs Lynch’s soup “is famous after the annual Christmas swim at Lacken Lake”.

Man and woman dead after house fire in Cavan

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Lackanmore after the fire was reported at a roadside farmhouse just before 2am.

Despite their efforts, Mr Lynch, 80, and their son, 53, died in the fire, which severely damaged the house.

Their bodies were taken to Cavan General Hospital where post-mortem examinations were to be carried out.

The scene of the fire has been cordoned off by gardaí pending a forensic investigation, but it is believed the fire was accidental.

At the scene of the accident, the charred beams of the roof could be seen over a room on the left side of the house where the fire was believed to have started. The rooms on the right were also heavily damaged and there was evidence of smoke damage in the hallway of the two-story property.

Family members comforted each other at the scene as they tried to process the tragedy.

Local Fine Gael councilor Trevor Smith said the town of Ballyjamesduff was numb and could not believe such a tragedy could happen.

“I came across the fire by chance last night, just before emergency responders landed. And I have to say that we have to praise our emergency services, the gardaí, the fire brigade, the paramedics and the priest also arrived. They are so professional yet respectful and that is the only thing that comes out of it. “How do these people do their job day in and day out?” said Cllr Smith.

“The community will come together and help in any way they can. This morning the local council set up a tea station and had everything ready for the family. There will be nothing the community can do to help with this terrible tragedy,” he added.

The local Castlerahan GAA Club expressed its condolences to the Lynch family.

“As a club and community we have woken up to the terrible news of the deaths of Kathleen and Michael Lynch,” the club wrote on social media.

“A family that is closely connected to our club and our community. Kathleen has four grandchildren (Kieran, Cormac and Gavin Daly and Shane O’Reilly) in last year’s victorious intermediate team and one granddaughter (Roisin O’Reilly) in the women’s team that also won the intermediate championship.

“Your grandson Jamie O’Reilly is part of our U17 team, which is in the semi-finals of the championship.

“Their soup after the annual Christmas swim at Lacken Lake is famous. Her son Andy is heavily involved in training the underage men and women.”

“Michael was a great supporter, a constant at every Castlerahan game and rarely missed a game.”

The club concluded: “We send our condolences to Rose, Catriona and Andy and the entire extended family.” A minute’s silence will be observed at games across the county today.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.”

A Garda spokesman said emergency services were alerted to the fire shortly before 2am on Sunday.

“The fire brigade was on site and extinguished the fire in the early hours of the morning,” said a spokesman.

The mother and son’s bodies have been taken to Cavan General Hospital mortuary where a post mortem will take place in due course.

The scene of the fire was preserved for a technical investigation by the Garda Technical Bureau while the coroner was informed of the two deaths.

“Investigations into the circumstances of the fire are ongoing,” the Garda spokesman confirmed.

Funeral arrangements for Michael and Kathleen will be announced at a later date.