The trial of a 26-year-old hotel worker charged with the manslaughter of three elderly sisters by setting fire to a house on Inishbofin island in July 1999, begins today at Galway Circuit Criminal Court.
Mr Alan Murphy, Spelga Avenue, Newcastle, Co Down, pleaded not guilty yesterday before a jury to the unlawful killing of Ms Eileen Coyne (82) and to setting fire to Ms Coyne's house at Middle Quarter, Inishbofin, on July 6th, 1999.
He also denied the unlawful killing of her sisters, Ms Bridget McFadden (76) and Ms Margaret Concannon (72).