Gardai investigating a Co Roscommon house fire that claimed the lives of three family members hope a son who survived will be able to help establish its cause.
A senior officer described the fire in the early hours of Saturday morning as "suspicious".
A Garda forensic team recovered the bodies from the burnt-out two-storey farmhouse and returned to the scene yesterday to sift through debris for clues to how the fire started. The victims have been identified as John Joe Spellman (83), his wife Kathleen (81), and eldest son, Sean (48). They lived in the family farmhouse in Toberory outside the village of Tulsk. Another son, Enda, in his late 30s, who also lived in the house, survived the fire.
Post-mortem results released last night indicated all three died from smoke inhalation.
The Assistant Garda Commissioner, Mr Eamon Keating of the Western Region, visited the scene and confirmed an investigation had been launched into the circumstances surrounding the fire. "It is suspicious and we will be examining all aspects of the incident. We are concerned about the fire and the deaths, and it needs a thorough investigation which it is receiving." Prof John Harbison carried out post-mortems on the remains at Roscommon County Hospital. Dental records were needed to identify the deceased positively.
The second son was receiving treatment in hospital for lacerations to his arms and burns to his chest.
Supt Tom Commons said a forensic team was still at the scene trying to establish the cause. "We will speak with Enda as soon as he is well enough and hope he can assist in the investigation." He also appealed for help from the public and said an incident room had been set up in Boyle Garda station, on (079) 62190.
It is understood a neighbour raised the alarm at 5.35 a.m. when Enda Spellman called to his house. Mr Spellman also called to another neighbour's home to again raise the alarm and tried to gain entry by breaking glass, cutting himself.
Two other surviving sons and two daughters in the Spellman family yesterday visited the scene and spoke with neighbours.
Mr Frank Cafferty, assistant chief fire officer for the county, said two fire engines had responded to the emergency call but flames were through the roof on their arrival and teams fought the fire until after 7 a.m.
Four firemen with breathing apparatus located the first body on the ground floor but had to withdraw because of the heat. The kitchen ceiling had collapsed, bringing the body to the ground floor. The two remaining bodies were later located in an upstairs bedroom and scaffolding was needed to recover them.
The local parish priest, Father Austin McKeon, said the community was in deep shock over the deaths as they were a popular and respected family. "It is the most awful thing that has ever happened here and rarely even would you read about such an event."