NIFRS apologises for failings after firefighter’s death

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue service has apologised for failings after the death of a Co Londonderry firefighter while on duty.

Joe McCloskey died hours after falling through a roof into a blazing storeroom while fighting a fire at the Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady in 2003.

A review into the actions of fire authorities following the 50-year-old's death concluded there were lessons to be learned.

In a statement, the NIFRS confirmed that the Chief Fire Officer wrote to the McCloskey family on 11 May this year to offer an “unreserved apology” over the tragedy.

The statement added: “The failings were identified through a recent review by the Department of Health.

“NIFRS accepted the findings of the review and has revised and amended policies in line with review recommendations.”