THE CASE IN SUMMARY

March 10th, 1991: Baby Jessica is born. She and her mother, Frank McCann's sister Jeannette, are living with the McCanns.

March 12th: Jeannette tells Frank and Esther she wants them to adopt the baby.

April 16th: Woman telephones adoption board, objecting to the adoption of Jessica by Francis McCann, for which the board has not yet received an application. The woman alleges that McCann had a sexual relationship with her daughter who conceived a child by him when she was 17.

May 20th: The McCanns apply to the board to adopt Jessica. The allegation made to the board is subsequently put to him but he denies it. Esther remains unaware of the claim. The process runs its course over the next year, with a number of queries from the McCanns and the natural mother about the delay in processing the application.

July 3rd, 1992: Frank McCann reports a gas leak at his home in Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham. A Bord Gais fitter finds no leak.

July 16th: Gas leak reported at 10.53 a.m. Bord Gais fitter arrives at 11.10 a.m. and finds a Class A leak, requiring urgent action. The leak is in a pipe going into the house.

July 26th: Another gas leak reported but no leak found by fitter.

July 28th: Esther McCann wakes up and smells gas. Leaves house carefully, pushing car down driveway, before ringing husband in Blessington pub. McCann telephones the gas company and complains of a serious leak. Fitter arrives at 7.55 a.m. and a colossal presence of gas is found. The leak is the result of a complete parting of two gas joints. Could only have happened after heat had been applied to the joints and they had been prised apart. Joint had been installed a week earlier when a gas meter was being upgraded. Gas level was sufficient to cause an explosion if a match struck or a light switch turned on.

On the same day, Adoption Board decides to refuse McCanns' application on the basis of the allegation made against him. Family solicitor informed and told that both they and the natural mother must be told of decision and reason for it.

August 11th: Esther, woken by telephone ringing, finds electric blanket on fire on the bed. The blanket is taken away by Frank McCann and is not subsequently found.

August 13th: McCann reports at Rathfarnham Garda station that he has received threatening phone calls at his home. On the same day, he reports at Blessington Garda station that he had received an anonymous call at his pub two weeks earlier. He also refers to calls at his home.

Mid August: Tim Grace, of West Wicklow House bar, receives threatening phone calls to "pay up" or be burned out.

August 31st: McCann claims slogan "Burn You Bastard" painted on wall of the pub.

September 3rd: Gas installation at McCann house is tested. There is no leak. Barman sees the slogan printed on the rear wall of the bar. Esther tells sister she's going to "have it out" with Frank over the adoption problem. At 8.30 p.m., Helen Palmer attends word processing class given by Esther, leaves about 10 p.m., before Frank McCann arrives. McCann says he is home between 10 and 11 pm.

Sept 4th: Barman says McCann is still there when he (barman) leaves at about 1 a.m., at which time there is about 30 minutes' work left to do. Blessington chip shop owner says McCann came in for chips at 12.30 a.m. and left at about 12.40 a.m. She heard the gate creak at about 1 a.m. and thinks it may have been McCann.

Neighbour opposite McCanns' house in Rathfarnham hears car revving in early hours. Then he hears bang and a crash of glass and looks out window, seeing "ball of flame" emerge from door of house opposite. A personal attack signal is received at alarm monitoring centre. The code is Butterfield Avenue. Four people returning from a wedding in Co Wicklow see the flames, raised the alarm but are beaten back by flames. Neighbours arrive at the scene. Examination of house by Bord Gais at 3.15 a.m. finds no gas leak.

Arriving for work the following morning, barman, receives an anonymous call at the Cooperage for McCann. Asked had McCann received bad news. Felt caller was trying to disguise his voice.

September 5th: McCann makes a five hour statement at Rathfarnham Garda station. Describes his movements on September 3rd/4th.

September 8th: Gas installation examined. System sound, no leaks.

September 18th: McCann, staying at the house of a friend, Ms Emer Farrell, receives Mass card from the "Rev Burn". He collapses in kitchen, doctor called.

September 21st: Ms Farrell finds unaddressed envelope lying in the hall under the letter box. Card wishes receiver well in new home and includes a newspaper cutting with the words "lack of pigs".

September 24th: Gardai confirm fire is being treated as suspicious.

Late September: Tim Grace, of West Wicklow House bar, opens accumulated post and finds warning message.

November 4th: McCann arrested at pub at 1.25 p.m.

November 6th: McCann signs statement of admission.

April 22nd, 1993: McCann arrested in Waterford. Charged at special sitting of Waterford District Court with murders of Esther and Jessica.

January 11th, 1994: Trial begins.

January 31st: Jury dismissed and trial halted after McCann attempts to set fire to himself in Arbour Hill prison.

June 10th, 1996: Second trial begins.

August 15th: McCann found guilty of murders of Esther and Jessica. Sentenced to life imprisonment.