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Fire death father 'tried suicide' | Fire death father 'tried suicide' |
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The father of a family of seven killed in a house fire in Omagh had previously attempted suicide in 1988, the inquest into the deaths has heard. | The father of a family of seven killed in a house fire in Omagh had previously attempted suicide in 1988, the inquest into the deaths has heard. |
Lorraine McGovern, Arthur McElhill and their five children died in the fire at Lammy Crescent, Omagh, two years ago. | 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. |
Dr Michelle Melaugh said she prescribed antidepressants for Mr McElhill, but he did not always take them. | Dr Michelle Melaugh said she prescribed antidepressants for Mr McElhill, but he did not always take them. |
She said that before the fire he had complained of feeling down and overweight, and told her he was "tired of his wife's shouting in the house". | She said that before the fire he had complained of feeling down and overweight, and told her he was "tired of his wife's shouting in the house". |
Dr Melaugh told the court she had asked Mr McElhill questions designed to find out if he was suicidal or homicidal, but his answers raised "no concerns". | Dr Melaugh told the court she had asked Mr McElhill questions designed to find out if he was suicidal or homicidal, but his answers raised "no concerns". |
There was also evidence on behalf of the McElhill family which suggested that an intruder could have broken into the house and started the fire. | There was also evidence on behalf of the McElhill family which suggested that an intruder could have broken into the house and started the fire. |
On the opening day of the inquest forensic investigators said that the fire had been started when someone who was inside the house set light to a mixture of petrol and white spirits which had been poured in the hall. | On the opening day of the inquest forensic investigators said that the fire had been started when someone who was inside the house set light to a mixture of petrol and white spirits which had been poured in the hall. |
Evidence from fire fighters was also read to the court on Wednesday. | Evidence from fire fighters was also read to the court on Wednesday. |
A court clerk reading a statement from a Fire Service commander struggled with emotion as she delivered his description of searching the house as the fire came under control. | A court clerk reading a statement from a Fire Service commander struggled with emotion as she delivered his description of searching the house as the fire came under control. |
First he found the bodies of two adults, then the children and finally a baby in a cot. | First he found the bodies of two adults, then the children and finally a baby in a cot. |
The children were Caroline, 13; Sean, 7; Bellina, 4; Clodagh, 19 months and James, nine months. | The children were Caroline, 13; Sean, 7; Bellina, 4; Clodagh, 19 months and James, nine months. |
On Tuesday, the inquest heard a distressing phone call made by 13-year-old Caroline from her burning home. | On Tuesday, the inquest heard a distressing phone call made by 13-year-old Caroline from her burning home. |
She could be heard pleading: "Help me! Help me!" | She could be heard pleading: "Help me! Help me!" |
The inquest has now been adjourned until 7 December. |