RETIRED Peace Commissioner Timothy (Tim) Corbett died when his home in Newcastle West went on fire last September, possibly as a result of smoking his pipe in bed, an inquest into his death has been told.
The jury at Newcastle West Coroner’s Court found that Mr Corbett, who lived alone at his semi-detached home in Assumpta Park, died as result of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries sustained in the fire on September 29.
Mr Corbett, who was chairman of Newcastle West Fianna Fáil cumann, was found in an upstairs bedroom after Gardaí broke down the front door to gain access.
The inquest heard that Garda Ann McCarthy and her colleague were alerted by neighbours to smoke coming from the chimney as Mr Corbett did not normally use his fireplace.
Garda McCarthy said she saw dense smoke through the window and emergency services were quickly on scene but Mr Corbett’s body was found in his upstairs bedroom without any sign of life.
A retired peace commissioner and former Shannon Development official, Mr Corbett was a native of Drumtarriff, Millstreet, Co Cork
Family members said that he was a pipe smoker and known to often smoke in bed.
Sergeant Gearoid Thompson said that following a number of technical and forensic examinations, Gardaí were satisfied there was no foul play involved and the fire was a tragic accident that claimed the life of the elderly man.
West Limerick coroner Antoinette Simon extended sympathy to Mr Corbett’s family and a verdict in accordance with medical evidence was returned by the jury.
