Detective Garda Deirdre Finn (53) from Ballinteer, Dublin suffered fatal injuries as a result of the fire which broke out on her boat
Det Garda Deirdre Finn who lost her life after her boat caught fire in Carrick On Shannon
A fire on board a motor cruiser berthed on the River Shannon in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim which claimed the life of an off-duty garda two years ago reached temperatures of 1000º C at the height of the blaze, an investigation has revealed.
A report by the Marine Casualty Investigation board said the most likely cause of the fire was the leaking of LPG (liquid petroleum gas) from a fault in pipework which built up over time until it was ignited by a pilot light on a refrigerator on board the vessel.
Detective Garda Deirdre Finn (53) from Ballinteer, Dublin suffered fatal injuries as a result of the fire which broke out on her boat, DollFinn, on the morning of August 7, 2023 while it was moored at the Emerald Star Marina in Carrick-in-Shannon.
MCIB investigators who had access to the report of a forensic engineer which was commissioned as part of an investigation by An Garda Síochána into the blaze observed: “The resulting fire generated a large and fatal level volume of carbon monoxide gas which flooded into the sleeping quarters ahead of the fire.”
Det.Garda Deirdre Finn who was killed when her boat caught fire
The MCIB report said it was possible that the slow release of LPG, which is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas, might have gone undetected for some time.
It noted that a survey conducted on the vessel in 2022, while not finding any issues with the LPG installation on the boat, did advise that a carbon monoxide alarm should be fitted.
The survey report also recorded that the rear of LPG-powered appliances on board DollFinn could not be accessed to determine the condition of the LPG pipework.
Det Garda Finn’s vessel had been taking part in the 61st Shannon Boat Rally the previous week.
The deceased had attended a closing gala dinner the previous evening at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon before attending a smaller gathering with other boat owners on another vessel moored next to DollFinn until 4am when she returned to her own cruiser.
Her last known contact was when she exchanged text messages with a friend on one of the other boats berthed at the marina at 4.20am.
The alarm over the fire on DollFinn was raised at 7.55am. The MCIB report noted that other boat owners had used an estimated 20 portable fire extinguishers to try and bring the fire under control without success.
It also recorded that one individual attempted to rescue Det Garda Finn from the vessel through a hatch but was driven back by the smoke and flames. The fire was eventually brought under control by units of the local fire brigade.
The MCIB concluded that Det Garda Finn was never aware of the fire starting as no eyewitness reported seeing her attempting to fight the fire or trying to escape the boat.
A post mortem on her body, which was found in a forward sleeping area, concluded she had died as a result of the inhalation of combustion products including carbon monoxide.
Waterways Ireland said that the current bye-laws for operating on the Shannon and canals require that all gas installations on vessels are installed in line with the relevant standard and placed in a well-ventilated area with ventilation piping.
It also stated that it was updating the legislation which dates from 30 years ago but that revised draft bye-laws which it had submitted to the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government in September 2024 have still to be approved.
Waterways Ireland said the proposed bye-laws would grant it enforcement powers regarding the unsafe operation of vessels including the use of equipment such as gas installation systems.
Pending the implementation of any new legislation, Waterways Ireland said it would continue to promote safe water behaviour under the current bye-laws.
The MCIB report also revealed that the Shannon Boat Rally Committee would take steps to make participants aware of fire safety requirements and recommendations with a focus on prevention and evacuation.
It noted that a fire drill will also be carried out as part of each annual rally.
The MCIB has asked the Minister for Transport to consider reviewing and updating a Marine Notice on the use of LPG installations on vessels to emphasise the importance for owners and operators to ensure the safe use of such equipment.
It also recommended that the Code of Practice for the Safe Operation of Recreational Craft should be amended to include specific references to the fitting of gas, carbon monoxide, smoke and/or heat detectors in all vessels with LPG systems.
The MCIB also urged Waterways Ireland, the Irish Marine Federation and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland to consider its recommendations in the context of ongoing safety improvement.
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