GARDAI INVESTIGATING A FATAL HOUSE FIRE IN BOYLE ON MONDAY HAVE ARRESTED A MAN IN HIS 30’S THIS AFTERNOON.

THE MAN WAS ARRESTED IN THE SLIGO AREA.

HE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD AT BOYLE GARDA STATION UNDER SECTION 4 OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT.

5-YEAR-OLD MARIE CONNOLLY DIED IN THE HOUSE FIRE AT TERMON ROAD IN BOYLE IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MONDAY MORNING.

MARIE’S FATHER RICHARD AND HER TWO SISTERS MANAGED TO ESCAPE THE BLAZE THROUGH AN UPSTAIRS WINDOW, WHILE HER MOTHER HAD BEEN IN HOSPITAL AFTER GIVING BIRTH TO TWINS ON SATURDAY.

THE CHILD’S BODY WAS DISCOVERED IN AN UPSTAIRS ROOM OF THE TERRACED HOUSE, WHERE PART OF THE FLOOR HAD COLLAPSED DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE FIRE WHICH BROKE OUT BETWEEN 2.30AM AND 3AM YESTERDAY.

MARIE’S TWO SISTERS WERE REMOVED TO SLIGO GENERAL HOSPITAL, SUFFERING FROM SMOKE INHALATION. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THEIR FATHER WAS TRANSFERRED TO BEAUMONT HOSPITAL IN DUBLIN, WHERE HE WAS BEING TREATED FOR BACK INJURIES AND A PUNCTURED LUNG.

GARDAI BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE WAS STARTED DELIBERATELY.

ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT BOYLE GARDA STATION ON 071-96-64620.