Man dies in explosion and fire at his home

TRIBUTES have been paid to a pensioner who died in a horrific explosion at his home.

- BY MICHAEL O'TOOLE

Des Deegan, 72, died in the blast at his property in Frenchpark, Co Roscommon, on Wednesday evening.

Mr Deegan, who was originally from Dublin, had moved to Roscommon from Oldcastle in Co Meath about a year ago to be near his partner, Alice Hetherton, who is now in a nursing home.

He was planning to renovate the property to make it suitable for her when the explosion happened.

Just over a month ago, he set up an online fundraiser to raise funds for the refit.