Lammy investigations continuing - one year on
Thursday, 13 November 2008
The family who perished in a fire at their home at Omagh’s Lammy Crescent a year ago today (Thursday, November 13).
by Emma Stewart.
One year, to the day, after a horrifying early morning blaze claimed the lives of Arthur McElhill, Lorraine McGovern and their five children, the family's Lammy Crescent home remains a ghoulish shell, with few authoritative answers having been unearthed as to what lay behind the tragedy.
To date the PSNI says that "the investigation is at an advanced stage and a file will be presented to the PPS shortly. A file will then be submitted for the information of HM Coroner."
An independent review - released in June - into the circumstances surrounding the death of the family of seven, found "absolutely no doubt that there were failings on the part of health and social services", and an investigation by the NI Social Care Council is continuing.
A spokesperson said: "The NI Social Care Council has an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case. The NISCC will investigate any registered social worker or social care worker who is alleged to have breached the standards of conduct and practice set out in the NISCC code of practice."
The revelation, just days after the horrifying blaze, that Arthur McElhill was a convicted sex offender shocked many local residents - particularly as the family home was just yards from a primary school. Nonetheless, neighbours and friends remain firm in their praise of, and warmth towards, the tragic family.
For some, though, the continued existence of the family home is too much to bear. In recent months residents approached the McElhill family, who own the property, about the possibility of demolition and the re-development of the site, but have to date been rebuffed.
Tragedy
On November 13, 2007, Arthur McElhill, 36, Lorraine McGovern, 29, and their five children -Caroline,13, Sean, seven, Bellina, four, Clodagh,18 months and baby James, nine months, perished in a blaze which consumed their Omagh home.
Shortly before 5am that fateful morning, fire fighters rushed to the scene but were unable to rescue any of the inhabitants as the end terrace's roof collapsed, and flames consumed the building.
Just over 24 hours later police declared that they had embarked upon a murder investigation following the discovery of 'a significant quantity of accelerant' in the property.
Northern Ireland's worst fire tragedy saw a team of over 30 people - including detectives, crime scene investigators, scientists and a body recovery team - deployed to the scene.
Neighbours who had battled in vain to rescue the trapped family were left traumatised by the news, some having heard screams for help.
In the cold light of day families were informed, school children told of friends lost, and neighbours stood aghast at the smoking shell of what was once a family home.
In the garden a pink child's bicycle lay forever abandoned, while clothes hanging from the washing line offered a grim reminder of all that had been lost.
Although friends of the children are said to be 'coping well', the effects of this incomprehensible tragedy will no doubt to continue to linger, particularly while any real answers have yet been found.
A memorial mass will be held tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm, at Omagh's Sacred Heart Church to mark the first anniversary of the devastating inferno.
