‘massive shock’ | 

‘Miracle escape’ for five staying in Airbnb above collapsed Mayo pub

The pub had been in operation until closing time last night and had enjoyed a busy bank holiday weekend.

Duffy’s pub Kilkelly: ‘Miracle escape’ as five hospitalised after Mayo pub collapses – SundayWorld.com

Five people are taken to hospital after building collapse in Kilkelly County Mayo

Today at 16:52

Residents of a Mayo village have been left shocked after their local pub was “literally brought to the ground” in an incident this morning.

About 8.45am on Tuesday, residents in Kilkelly, near Kiltimagh, heard loud crashing and banging noises in the town centre.

Duffy’s pub, owned by Kevin and Maureen Duffy, collapsed into a pile of debris onto the main street and spilled onto an adjacent site.

The pub had been in operation until closing time last night and had enjoyed a busy bank holiday weekend.

Five people staying in an Airbnb on the premises were taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries which are believed to be non life-threatening.

One of the five, a woman, was trapped under the debris for almost an hour and had to be rescued by the emergency services.

Local councillor John Caulfield said the incident had stunned the village.

“To see our local pub literally brought to the ground was a massive shock for local residents.

“This is a pub owned by Kevin and Maureen Duffy and it had been in the family for 20 years and had been very successful.

“The pub was running right up until closing time last night. Five people were staying in an Airbnb which operated above the pub so that was a big concern for the owners.

“Fortunately, four of the guests were evacuated immediately while one lady was trapped inside and had to be freed by the emergency services,” said Cllr Caulfield.

The scene was attended by a large volume of emergency services who worked to rescue the people from inside the building and also make the area outside the site safe.

Cllr Caulfield paid tribute to the work of the emergency services and said they arrived on the scene quickly and worked tremendously in dangerous conditions.

“The emergency services had a lot to contend with but they done their jobs excellently,” he said. “The electricity was still on and they did not know what they were facing but they were fantastic.

“There is so much history in the business but there was great relief when everyone was safely recovered from the building.

“On a busy night, there could have been up to 200 people in the pub.

“I have no doubt that the community will rally around the family, like they have done so often for the people of the community,” said Cllr Caulfield.

Local parish priest Fr Joseph Gavigan was one of the first on the scene since he was on his way to mass at St Celsus’ Church in Kilkelly.

During the mass, Fr Gavigan and the congregation prayed for the Duffy family, the people involved in the incident, the emergency services and the community.

He said there was widespread shock in the community but a sense of relief there was no one seriously injured.

“I have tremendous sympathy for the family whose business has been destroyed as it has been a vital part of the Kilkelly community for generations.

“As soon as it happened this morning, there was dozens of people at the scene offering their support and help in any way they could by directing traffic and providing support to the family.

“Within half an hour, there was numerous emergency services on the scene and they worked excellently,” said Fr Gavigan.

Local peace commissioner Paul Lawless, who was also at the scene, said it was a shocking incident.

“I believe it is a miracle that no one was killed,” said Mr Lawless.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of an incident in Kilkelly, Co Mayo, this morning, Tuesday, October 31, 2023, which occurred at approximately 8.45am.

“Five persons have been taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries which are believed to be non life-threatening.

“Main Street, Kilkelly, Co Mayo, is currently closed. Local diversions are in place.”

The Health and Safety Authority has been notified and an investigation has been launched.