Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 0075Death · Co. Cork · 20 Oct 2026

Elderly couple killed in Raheen house fire, Cork

William 'Willie' Hawkes and his wife Geraldine 'Tina' Sullivan Hawkes, both in their 70s, died in a fire at their detached home in Raheen, Cork, in the early hours of Tuesday 20 September 2026, though the case record lists the incident date as 20 October 2026. Willie made the initial call to emergency services, which arrived around 7.30am, and re-entered the burning house to try to save his wife. Firefighters faced heavy fire damage and structural collapse at the scene. No arrest or charge has been reported as of the latest coverage on 22 October 2026.

  1. Reported22 Oct
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A fire broke out at the couple's detached home, killing both occupants.
Where
The fire occurred at a detached home in Raheen, Cork.
When
Emergency services were called to the scene around 7.30am on Tuesday 20 September 2026, though the case record lists the incident date as 20 October 2026.
Cause
Both deaths were caused by a house fire.
Other details
  • Willie Hawkes made the initial call to emergency services and re-entered the burning house to try to save his wife.
  • Both victims were in their 70s and well known in their local area.
  • Willie Hawkes had worked in milk recording with Munster Bovine.
  • Tina Sullivan Hawkes was a former midwife at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork City and an active member of the Knocknavilla Sewing Group.
Investigation
Firefighters faced difficult conditions due to heavy fire damage and structural collapse at the scene.
6 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatWillie had made the initial call to emergency services and re-entered the burning house to try to save his wife. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenEmergency services were called to the scene around 7.30am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherBoth were in their 70s and well known in their local area. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherWillie had worked in milk recording with Munster Bovine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTina was a former midwife at Bon Secours Hospital in Cork City. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherTina was an active member of the Knocknavilla Sewing Group. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Oct2026
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Tears for 'beautiful' elderly couple killed in Cork house fire

    Tribute article reporting the deaths of an elderly couple in a house fire in Raheen, Cork, with families thanking emergency services and gardaí for their support.

    victim, 70s, male, irish (judged from name)victim, 70s, female, irish (judged from name)