Man charged with arson over house fire in Boyle in which girl (5) died

A MAN has been charged with arson following a house fire in Boyle, Co Roscommon, in which a five-year-old girl died earlier this month.

John Lynch (33), Church View, Boyle, was charged yesterday with committing arson by damaging by fire a private dwelling on Termon Road, Boyle, on October 3rd.

Garda Paul Kenny told Boyle District Court that the charge was put to Mr Lynch at 9.30am yesterday before the court sitting. Garda Kenny said that in response to the charge, he replied: “I never intended for anyone to get hurt,” and “I am deeply sorry.”

Mari Keane Connolly died in the fire at Termon Road where she was staying with her father, Richard Connolly, on October 3rd.

Her mother, Teresa Keane, and other relatives including her grandfather and an aunt, sat in the public gallery in Boyle courthouse during yesterday’s brief hearing.

They stared at Mr Lynch throughout the proceedings and some family members were upset when the case was heard.

Garda Supt Tom Mullarkey told Judge Geoffrey Browne that he was applying for a remand in custody to today’s sitting of Harristown court in Castlerea.

Mr Lynch’s solicitor Ciara Macklin indicated that there was no objection.

Mr Lynch, who was dressed in blue jeans and a blue fleece and who had a bandage on his right hand, did not speak during the remand hearing. He stood when the case was called before the remainder of the court list was dealt with.

He remained expressionless during the hearing.

A crowd of about 50 people, including relatives of Mari Keane Connolly, had started to gather outside the courthouse before the sitting began yesterday.

They waited for about half an hour after the case was dealt with until Mr Lynch was led by gardaí from the building.

There was no attempt to approach Mr Lynch but a number of people jeered him, shouting “scumbag”, “show your face” and “take it off” as he was led to a waiting car.

Mr Lynch had a baseball hat pulled low over his face with his collar turned up as he was led out of court.

Several people hugged Mari’s mother, who broke down as he was led away.

A “Dora the Explorer” balloon had been hung across the street from the courthouse.