Convicted killer dies in fire

A man who died in a housefire in Cork city on Tuesday has been named locally as convicted killer Conor Downey.

Mr Downey, who was in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire on Douglas Road West after emergency services were alerted by neighbours on Tuesday afternoon. His body was later removed to CUH for post-mortem.

Mr Downey was jailed in 1993 for the manslaughter of his girlfriend Suzanne Reddan in London for which he served 3 years before returning to Cork.

It was reported at the time that Mr Downey had strangled Ms Reddan, from Donegal, and dismembered her. British police found the victim’s limbs, however her torso was never discovered.

Mr Downey was sent to jail again in 2004 for the attack and attempted rape of a Cork nurse which took place in 1988, before he moved to the UK.

Upon his release in 2012, Mr Downey moved to Douglas where local women were reportedly warned not go out alone late at night.

Gardaí have confirmed they are continuing to investigate the fire.

At the time Cork City Fire Brigade crews were dealing with the fire, they described it as “serious” and advised the public to use caution in the area.

A statement released by An Garda Siochana on Wednesday read: “Gardaí are currently at the scene of a fatal house fire that occurred at a property on Douglas Road West, Douglas, yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 4 April.

“A man in his 50s was pronounced dead at the scene and his body has since been removed to Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem will take place.”