Two Armagh fire suspects leave hospital

Two men who police want to question in connection with a fire that killed a couple in Armagh have been released from hospital…

Two men who police want to question in connection with a fire that killed a couple in Armagh have been released from hospital, it was confirmed yesterday.

The pair were among four men who sought treatment for serious burns at Louth County Hospital shortly after Thomas O'Hare (33) and his partner Lisa McClatchey (21) were attacked and set on fire at their home on November 6th last.

The four men were later transferred to St James's Hospital in Dublin.

The hospital confirmed yesterday that two of the male patients suffering from burns who were admitted on November 7th were discharged on December 23rd.

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The other two patients are still being treated at the hospital and are described as "not critically ill". St James's said yesterday that it expected the two men would require treatment at the hospital "for some time".

The hospital said the four patients, believed to be brothers from Armagh, had suffered serious burns of 35 to 55 per cent.

All four are wanted for questioning by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in relation to the attack on November 6th.

Mr O'Hare and Ms McClatchey died from their injuries in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, after they were beaten, doused with petrol and set alight during the attack on their home at Foley Road, Tassagh, near Keady.

It is believed that up to six people were involved in the attack.

The PSNI has opened a double murder inquiry into the incident, and although they are co-operating with gardaí, they have made no formal request that the four men be handed over.

"Our position has not changed," a PSNI spokeswoman said yesterday. "We will only speak to these individuals when it is deemed they are medically fit."

A 24-year-old man who was questioned about the attack was released on bail on December 11th, while a 43-year-old man with a Tyrone address appeared in court on November 13th on charges of withholding information and perverting the course of justice.

A Belfast court heard that the man was accused of lending a car to one of the men police believe was involved in the attack on November 6th. The car was later found burnt out near the scene.