The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that there be no prosecution following a Garda investigation into the deaths of two young brothers who died within days of each other following a house fire at their family home in Cork city late last year, an inquest heard yesterday.
Cian Ellard Punch (2) died on October 30th, 2011, from acute carbon monoxide poisoning due to smoke inhalation following a house fire at the family home at Elm Park, Sarsfield Road, Wilton, Cork.
His older brother, Calvin Ellard Punch (4), died on November 2nd, 2011, from hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy – a condition where the brain does not receive enough oxygen – due to smoke inhalation following a house fire, with contributory bronchial pneumonia.
Yesterday at Cork City Coroner’s Court, Sgt Ray Dunne said gardaí had investigated the fire and sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The DPP had directed that there be no prosecution over the deaths of the two boys.
Cork City Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said given there were no criminal matters pending in the case, it was possible for the inquests to proceed.
She then fixed the inquest for hearing on January 24th, 2013.
She extended her sympathies to the boys’ family on their tragic loss.
