Fatal fire upgraded to homicide

 

Gardaí investigating the death of of a man in a house fire in Ballyjamesduff last August have arrested two persons and upgraded the matter to homicide.

Oliver Murrary (59) died following the blaze at his home in Derrylurgan on August 2 last.

Two men, aged 37 and 51 years, have since been arrested and at time of going to print on Tuesday afternoon were being detained at Ballyjamesduff Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana confirmed that the fatal fire has now been upgraded to a homicide investigation.

Two units of the local fire service, from Ballyjamesduff and Virginia, were at the time called to deal with the outbreak of fire at Mr Murray's home on the Crosskeys Road in the early hours of the morning.

So strong was the blaze that it caused the first floor of the property to cave in, further hampering the rescue effort and subsequent forensic analysis of the scene.

He is survived by his mother, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.