Woman arrested over Mallow deaths released without charge

Gardaí are to prepare a file for the DPP after last night releasing without charge a woman arrested for questioning about a suspected arson attack in which two men died in north Cork.

The woman was arrested in Cork city at 2.30pm on Monday by gardaí investigating the deaths of John Palmer (37) and Greg Lonergan (36) in the early hours of last Thursday.

The men lost their lives when a fire broke out at their second-floor apartment in the Granary Court complex on St Joseph’s Road in Mallow shortly after midnight last Wednesday night.

Two others who were in the in the apartment, Rachel Crawshaw (27) and Mr Palmer's twin brother Christopher, were rescued by gardaí when they broke into the apartment.

Both were taken to Cork University Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation with Ms Crawshaw being discharged on Monday. Doctors continue to treat Mr Palmer.

Gardaí yesterday took a statement from Mr Palmer about the fire, which they believe was started in three separate rooms in the top-floor apartment some time during Wednesday night.

Detectives questioned the arrested woman throughout yesterday at Mallow Garda station where she was detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

However at about 10.15pm, the woman, who is in her 20s, was released without charge and gardaí will now prepare a file for the DPP, a Garda spokesman said