A fire in a derelict house in Drogheda claimed the lives of a couple who had been squatting in it early yesterday morning.
A Garda spokesman said both were dead on arrival at hospital. Gardaí believe the fire may have been started by a cigarette or electrical fault. The deceased were Mr Thomas Maguire (35), originally from Rathmullen Park, and his partner, Ms Winifred Riley (28).
A passer-by spotted the fire in the terraced house on Mill Lane just after 1 a.m. and alerted the fire service. The victims were found in an upstairs bedroom.