Seven members of a family from the Aran island of Inis Meain, Co Galway, were being treated in hospital yesterday after an early-morning fire in their home.
It occurred between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. at the home of Mr Bartley and Ms Noreen Folan. They and their five children, ranging in age from 10 to 22, managed to escape.
Five were taken to Rossaveal by the Aran Islands lifeboat and two travelled to Galway by air later. All were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries at University College Hospital, Galway and Merlin Park Hospital, and were expected to be released. The Garda in Salthill said there would be an investigation.