A MAN IS STILL BEING QUESTIONED AT BOYLE GARDA STATION THIS MORNING IN CONNECTION WITH THE HOUSE FIRE IN BOYLE ON MONDAY IN WHICH FIVE YEAR OLD MARI CONNOLLY DIED.

THE MAN IN HIS THIRTIES WAS ARRESTED IN THE SLIGO AREA YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. HE IS BEING HELD UNDER SECTION FOUR OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT.

MEANWHILE IN TODAY’S IRISH TIMES THE TRAGIC SEQUENCE OF EVENTS LEADING UP TO MARI’S DEATH WERE EXPLAINED BY HER AUNT. ACCORDING TO HER, MARI WAS INITIALLY TAKEN FROM THE HOUSE WITH HER TWO SISTERS BY HER FATHER.

THE FINAL MINUTES OF MARI’S LIFE ONLY BECAME KNOWN WHEN HER FATHER WHO IS BEING TREATED FOR SERIOUS BACK INJURIES, TOLD FAMILY MEMBERS HE HAD BROUGHT HIS THREE DAUGHTERS OUT ONTO THE ROOF OF AN EXTENSION AS THE FLAMES SPREAD THROUGH THE HOUSE.

RICHARD CONNOLLY HOWEVER FELL OFF THE ROOF AND HIS DAUGHTER CLIMBED BACK INTO THE BURNING HOUSE.

MR. CONNOLLY OF TERMON ROAD IN BOYLE DID NOT KNOW UNTIL FAMILY MEMBERS BROKE THE NEWS AT SLIGO GENERAL HOSPITAL ON MONDAY THAT MARI HAD GONE BACK INTO THE HOUSE.

MARI’S MOTHER TERESA WAS IN SLIGO GENERAL HOSPITAL WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED, HAVING GIVEN BIRTH TO TWINS THERE ON SATURDAY.

MARI’S FUNERAL WILL BE HELD IN BOYLE NEXT TUESDAY WHEN ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR HER FATHER TO BE BROUGHT BY AMBULANCE FROM DUBLIN. HIS SISTER ORLA SAID THAT HE IS IN AN AWFUL LOT OF PAIN AND IT IS TOO SOON TO SAY IF HE WILL BE ABLE TO WALK IN THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE.