We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
EVELYN ANDREWS AND her daughter Katie had a near shave with carbon monoxide poisoning when a crisp packet that was thrown into the fire blocked their chimney flue.
Unknown to them, the blockage caused the poisonous gas to come back down the chimney and fill the house while they were in bed.
Thankfully for Evelyn and Katie, the incident, which happened in October 2013, ended with Evelyn awaking and bringing both of them to hospital for treatment.
However, others have not been so lucky, and the odourless, colourless and poisonous gas kills an average of six people a year – although the HSE believe this figure could be higher.
Cautionary tale
Evelyn and Katie are featured as part of RTÉ’s ‘The Consumer Show’ which will be speaking to a number of families about their brushes with the dangerous gas.
The show also looks at 20-year-old Padraig Hughes from Mayo who was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning at Christmas in 2008.
He was discovered when his father Cathal was unable to wake him on Christmas morning. His sister – who had been asleep in the room next to his – was also found to have suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning but was able to survive the incident.
It was later established that the boiler in the family home had broken in the night and filled the bedrooms with the lethal gas.
New regulation
The programme is also set to look at recent regulation that has been introduced to try and prevent people succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Since September 2014 it has been mandatory for CO alarms to be fitted in all new dwellings and where new or replacement open flues and flueless combustion appliances are being installed.
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion and can be caused by any fuel when it is burnt.
The show will be broadcast tomorrow night at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
You can get more information about carbon monoxide poisoning here at carbonmonoxide.ie.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Das Boot. A truly incredible film.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: The scene , when two u boats passed each other in a storm …Brilliant cinematography. One of the most realistic films ever made.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: I had an opportunity to visit the set of Das Boot when I was in Germany in 90s. I didn’t get to take it up, though.
@sean o’dhubhghaill: I saw it when it was released, in a dived submarine at 240ft.
The scene where they sing It’s A Long Way To Tipperary was as surprising as it is epic. The German cast speaking German was a welcome break from English speaking actors playing Germans in heavily accented voices and really gave a heightened sense of realism.
Traumatised an entire generation of children in the 80s with the death of Artax the horse in The Neverending story.
It’s a mark of great filmmaking that they’ll still wince at the memory 40 years later.
@Keniby, Same as it ever was: Oh God yes, that scene was heartbreaking but I loved the film so much and it has aged incredibly well
No chance for a Das Reboot then? :(
@Rui Firmino: nicht möglich. Er ist tot.
@Garreth Byrne: Schade :(
Some of the best acting I’ve seen in any movie.
Does anyone remember his 1985 film Enemy Mine? That was pretty good.
have your say