Gardai await forensics on Ballyglunin blast

Date Published: 20-Aug-2009

GARDAí investigating an explosion which completely destroyed a house in Ballyglunin are still awaiting the results of a forensic examination to determine the cause of the blast.

And tragedy was averted when the owner of the house was playing cards at the time in Castlegar as part of the back wall was blown out along with all of the windows.

It is understood that a gas explosion was the cause of the incident which resulted in the house being extensively burned.

The house at Ballinamona is owned by local auctioneer and businessman Anthony Quinn who, fortunately, had left his home earlier on Thursday evening last to play cards.

His partner Eileen Brereton and her two sons Kyle (12) and Cory (10) were in Tuam at the time of the explosion which was heard by Anthony’s brother Paddy Quinn.

He immediately raised the alarm and tried frantically to contact his brother. Eventually he made contact and was relieved to discover that there was no one in the house at the time of the blast.

The loud explosion was…