Woman charged over deaths of two men in Mallow fire

A 28-year-old woman has been remanded in custody after she was charged with the manslaughter of two men who died in a house fire in Mallow in North Cork almost two years ago.

Rachel Crawshaw was charged with the unlawfull killing of John Palmer (37) and Greg Lonergan (36), at Granary Court, St Joseph's Road, Mallow between March 12th and March 13th 2014.

Ms Crawshaw was also charged with committing arson at Granary Court, St Joseph’s Road, Mallow contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1991 on the same occasion.

Det Sgt Michael Corbett gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution and told Mallow District Court that he arrested Ms Crawshaw at Cork Airport on February 22nd, 2016.

Det Sgt Corbett told the court that Ms Crawshaw of no fixed abode made no reply to any of the three charges when they were put to her following caution after her arrest.

Insp Tony O’Sullivan applied for a remand in custody and defence solicitor, Emmet Boyle confirmed that his client was not seeking bail but was consenting to a remand in custody.

Insp O’Sullivan said he was a seeking a remand in custody to March 1st and pointed out that that the State had now 42 days to serve a book of evidence on the accused.

Judge Brian Sheridan granted the state application and remanded Ms Crawshaw in custody to appear again on March 1st. He also granted her free legal aid.

Both Mr Palmer and Mr Lonergan were recovered from the rented apartment at Granary Court by firefighters using breathing apparatus but they were pronounced dead at the scene by a local GP.

A third man, Mr Palmer's twin brother, Chris was rescued from the building by Garda Caitriona O'Sullivan and Garda Liam Phillips, and taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

The Palmer twins were originally from Tymon North in Tallaght in Dublin while Mr Lonergan had lived at a number of locations in Cork city and county prior to moving to Mallow.