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26 Oct 2025

'Lucky to get out alive'- 86-year-old woman escapes tragic house fire in need of new home

A Go Fund Me has been set up for an elderly woman who's home was burned down in March

'Lucky to get out alive'- 86-year-old woman escapes tragic house fire in need of new home

86-year-old woman escapes tragic house fire in need of new home

Reporter:

Rachel Kavanagh

16 Jun 2025 3:23 PM

The tragic incident in which a 86-year-old woman her home in a house fire has shocked and saddened many. 

The elderly woman named Margaret came to Ireland from the UK 20 years ago according to the Go Fund Me which was set up recently to help her get her life back.
The Go Fund Me has raised €4,534 so far with a goal of €6.5K.
Margaret lived very happily in her home in East Cork with her rescue donkeys, two dogs and ducks before her home was burned down in March of this year.
"The home was totally destroyed by the fire and she was so very lucky to get out alive", the Go Fund Me said.
"Thankfully the quick actions of her nearby neighbour got her little lurcher Misty and yorkie Freddy out safely.
"She lost absolutely everything. All her possessions. Everything she ever owned. All her memories were gone. It was a terrible ordeal for her."
Margaret, because she had no relatives in Ireland, had to go back to the UK to her brother temporarily but she now wishes to return to her own place again.
Unfortunately, Margaret had put her savings into getting her home newly thatched just shortly before the fire which has left her devastated.
"She is now in a situation where she cannot afford to rebuild it so she is hoping to get a mobile home for which she has only a tiny budget.
"This is far from ideal for Margaret at 86 years of age plus health issues. She has been hospitalised a few times in the past year.
"This go fund is set up to try and get some funds to help Margaret get a good mobile home that would have heating, double glazing and maybe even insulation if possible as she would need all this and more in wintertime.
"It is going to be very difficult and so very sad for her when she returns again to the ruins of what was once her beautiful home.
So really appealing please to your generosity and kindness for any few euros atall you can afford to help get Margaret a little place where she will feel comfortable and happy again in due course with her little dogs as it's her dearest wish to get back to them. Thank you," the Go Fund Me says.

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