A FATHER of three died yesterday from horrific burns suffered after dousing himself in petrol in a solicitor’s office and then setting himself alight.

John Harnedy (44) from Rineen, Co Cork, sustained almost 70pc burns in the horrific incident in Wolfe & Co Solicitors’ offices in Skibbereen at 11am on Monday.

Staff in the office were stunned when the 44-year-old walked into the premises, shouted to get their attention and then poured almost five litres of petrol over himself.

He calmly put the canister – which he had partly hidden in a plastic bag – on the ground, took out a match and then ignited the fuel in front of the office’s horrified receptionist. Mr Harnedy appeared to fumble with the match before successfully striking a flame – and igniting the petrol in which he was soaked. Shocked staff rushed to try and help him but, by the time the flames were extinguished, Mr Harnedy had already suffered extensive burns, with most of his clothing burned off.

It is believed Mr Harnedy had been depressed over recent weeks in relation to an upcoming private legal matter. However, it is understood he was not a client of Wolfe & Co Solicitors.

Paramedics raced to the scene and the man was placed into a special, foil-lined thermal blanket. After receiving preliminary medical attention at the scene, he was rushed to Cork by Garda-escorted ambulance.

The accomplished former off-road rally driver was taken to the specialist burns unit in Cork University Hospital (CUH) but surgeons were unable to save him. He died shortly after 3am yesterday.

Friends and relatives were yesterday comforting his wife, Catherine, and the couple’s three children – all of whom are in their early and late teens. The family are said to be “shocked and numbed” by the horrific manner of Mr Harnedy’s death.

Mr Harnedy was said to be devoted to his family and had worked throughout his life in the west Cork area. He was described as a well-liked, hard-working family man.

He was well-known in motorsport circles, having been a keen participant in off-road rallies and hot-rod events over the past 20 years.

A garda investigation is already under way into the tragedy, with officers admitting they are deeply shocked at what happened.

“It was a terrible scene – this poor man had suffered appalling burn injuries, but everyone did what they could for him,” one garda explained.

“This isn’t the kind of thing you could ever imagine happening in Ireland – let alone a town like Skibbereen. It’s something you’d only expect to see on your TV,” he said.

Staff in the solicitor’s office were deeply shocked by the incident and were immediately sent home for the day. All are expected to be offered counselling to deal with the trauma of what they witnessed.

Details of the garda inquiry are expected to be passed on to a Cork County Coroner’s Court for Mr Harnedy’s inquest, which will take place later this year.

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