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Inquest opens into blaze deaths Girl's 'frantic' call from blaze
(about 1 hour later)
An inquest into the deaths of a family of seven in a house fire in Omagh almost two years ago has opened. An inquest into the deaths of a family of seven in a fire in Omagh has heard a distressing phonecall made by a teenage girl from her burning home.
Relatives of Lorraine McGovern and Arthur McElhill heard harrowing details about how they and their five children died in a blaze at Lammy Crescent. It was made by Caroline, 13, daughter of Lorraine McGovern who could be heard pleading: "Help me! Help me!"
They heard that they were all alive when the fire started and they had to be identified using dental records. Much of the remainder of the call is too graphic to report. At one point she cries: "He's... He's..."
Lorraine McGovern, Arthur McElhill and their five children died in the fire at Lammy Crescent, Omagh, two years ago.
Mr McElhill, who had convictions for sexually assaulting teenage girls, was suspected of starting the fire.Mr McElhill, who had convictions for sexually assaulting teenage girls, was suspected of starting the fire.
Members of the McElhill and McGovern families sat opposite each other at the inquest in Omagh on Tuesday. At the inquest in Omagh on Tuesday, relatives of both families heard harrowing details about how they and their five children died.
Risk
They heard that they were all alive when the fire started and they had to be identified using dental records.
Members of the McElhill and McGovern families sat opposite each other at the inquest.
Some wept silently whilst others closed their eyes as details about the deaths of the two adults and their five children - Caroline, 13; Sean, 7; Bellina, 4; Clodagh, 19 months and James, nine months, were read out.Some wept silently whilst others closed their eyes as details about the deaths of the two adults and their five children - Caroline, 13; Sean, 7; Bellina, 4; Clodagh, 19 months and James, nine months, were read out.
There was no evidence of sexual or physical assault prior to the deaths. Nor was there any evidence that Mr McElhill had been under the influence of drink or common drugs on the night of the fire in November 2007.There was no evidence of sexual or physical assault prior to the deaths. Nor was there any evidence that Mr McElhill had been under the influence of drink or common drugs on the night of the fire in November 2007.
The hearing, at Omagh courthouse, is expected to last up to a week.The hearing, at Omagh courthouse, is expected to last up to a week.
'Harrowing'
It is expected that members of the McElhill and McGovern families will be called to give evidence along with anyone who had dealings with the victims before the fire.It is expected that members of the McElhill and McGovern families will be called to give evidence along with anyone who had dealings with the victims before the fire.
It's understood the families have already been briefed on the evidence, some of it said to be harrowing. It's understood the families have already been briefed on the evidence.
Neighbours, particularly those who tried to get the family out of the blaze, will also be called as will members of the medical and emergency services.Neighbours, particularly those who tried to get the family out of the blaze, will also be called as will members of the medical and emergency services.
Each of the seven fatalities will be addressed separately before the coroner decides on the cause of death.Each of the seven fatalities will be addressed separately before the coroner decides on the cause of death.
Death certificates will be issued when the proceedings have been completed.Death certificates will be issued when the proceedings have been completed.
Support
Special support is being offered to people living in the area as well as at local schools.
Dominic Clarke, principal of Sacred Heart College, where the oldest girl Caroline was a pupil, said the school would be addressing any issues which arose among its pupils during the inquest.
"We have a school nurse, a counsellor, and a strong pastoral system in place to help any of our pupils who feel that they need to talk about what happened or is taking place at the inquest," he said.
"Support will be available both internally and externally and we are well aware of just how tragic an event this was and the impact it had on the whole school community.
"It is expected that the matter will also be addressed at the school Assembly."
Last July, an independent report criticised how information was communicated within the Western Health and Social Care Trust and other agencies over the assessment of the potential risk posed by Mr McElhill to teenage girls.Last July, an independent report criticised how information was communicated within the Western Health and Social Care Trust and other agencies over the assessment of the potential risk posed by Mr McElhill to teenage girls.
The report had 63 recommendations and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said they would be implemented and that child protection services across Northern Ireland would also be inspected.The report had 63 recommendations and Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said they would be implemented and that child protection services across Northern Ireland would also be inspected.