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Verdict due in fire death inquest | Verdict due in fire death inquest |
(10 minutes later) | |
The inquest into the death of the seven members of the McElhill family in Omagh is to finish later on Tuesday. | The inquest into the death of the seven members of the McElhill family in Omagh is to finish later on Tuesday. |
Coroner Suzanne Anderson is expected to deliver her findings after hearing statements from witnesses on Monday. | |
They included a 16-year-old girl with whom Arthur McElhill had had a sexual relationship before the fire which killed his family in November 2007. | They included a 16-year-old girl with whom Arthur McElhill had had a sexual relationship before the fire which killed his family in November 2007. |
Arthur McElhill, Lorraine McGovern and their five children died in the blaze at Lammy Crescent. | Arthur McElhill, Lorraine McGovern and their five children died in the blaze at Lammy Crescent. |
The inquest has heard of his previous suicide attempts, and his use of a Bebo social-networking account in his son's name to groom teenage girls for sex. | The inquest has heard of his previous suicide attempts, and his use of a Bebo social-networking account in his son's name to groom teenage girls for sex. |
The inquest heard he was having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl, known as Witness A, in the period before his death. The age of consent in Northern Ireland at that time was 17. It has since been changed to 16. | The inquest heard he was having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl, known as Witness A, in the period before his death. The age of consent in Northern Ireland at that time was 17. It has since been changed to 16. |
Bombarding | Bombarding |
Giving evidence anonymously, Witness A said she had begun having sex with Arthur McElhill four months before the fire. | Giving evidence anonymously, Witness A said she had begun having sex with Arthur McElhill four months before the fire. |
The teenage babysitter had intercourse with him on at least 10 occasions in the bedroom of his house, sometimes when his wife and children were downstairs. | The teenage babysitter had intercourse with him on at least 10 occasions in the bedroom of his house, sometimes when his wife and children were downstairs. |
She said he first lured her to an upstairs bedroom to have a look at his computer. | She said he first lured her to an upstairs bedroom to have a look at his computer. |
The last time she had sex with him was about three weeks before the fire, she added. | The last time she had sex with him was about three weeks before the fire, she added. |
In the intervening time, McElhill began bombarding another teenager, 16-year-old Witness B, with obscene text messages and phone calls asking for sex. | In the intervening time, McElhill began bombarding another teenager, 16-year-old Witness B, with obscene text messages and phone calls asking for sex. |
She said that in one call, McElhill had asked her to go for a drive with him and some friends. He said they "could make love in the back seat". | She said that in one call, McElhill had asked her to go for a drive with him and some friends. He said they "could make love in the back seat". |
Detective Chief Inspector Derek Scott told the inquest that McElhill was aware that his previous sexual offences were the topic of conversation around Omagh. | Detective Chief Inspector Derek Scott told the inquest that McElhill was aware that his previous sexual offences were the topic of conversation around Omagh. |
"He had been confronted at his house by a female who made it clear she had been told that he had previous convictions," he said. | "He had been confronted at his house by a female who made it clear she had been told that he had previous convictions," he said. |
Arthur McElhill had previously tried to explain away his presence on the sex offenders register by claiming that his convictions were for having sex with his partner Lorraine when she was underage. | Arthur McElhill had previously tried to explain away his presence on the sex offenders register by claiming that his convictions were for having sex with his partner Lorraine when she was underage. |
Unusual | Unusual |
The inquest also heard how Lorraine McGovern may have been preparing to leave McElhill on the night the family died. | The inquest also heard how Lorraine McGovern may have been preparing to leave McElhill on the night the family died. |
In the burned shell of the house, investigators found five full bottles of baby milk in an upstairs bedroom. | In the burned shell of the house, investigators found five full bottles of baby milk in an upstairs bedroom. |
Detective Chief Inspector Scott said that he believed that was unusual. | Detective Chief Inspector Scott said that he believed that was unusual. |
He added: "I don't think it was for one night. It would be inconceivable that they would need so much milk." | He added: "I don't think it was for one night. It would be inconceivable that they would need so much milk." |
Mr McElhill, a registered sex offender with previous convictions for assaulting teenage girls, is suspected of deliberately starting the fire killing his partner and their five children. | Mr McElhill, a registered sex offender with previous convictions for assaulting teenage girls, is suspected of deliberately starting the fire killing his partner and their five children. |
They were 13-year-old Caroline, seven-year-old Sean, Bellina, 4, Clodagh, 19 months and James, nine months. | They were 13-year-old Caroline, seven-year-old Sean, Bellina, 4, Clodagh, 19 months and James, nine months. |
Mr Scott told the inquest on Monday that he did not believe anyone in the house other than Arthur McElhill was capable of starting the fire. | Mr Scott told the inquest on Monday that he did not believe anyone in the house other than Arthur McElhill was capable of starting the fire. |
The inquest re-opened on Monday after a two month adjournment. | The inquest re-opened on Monday after a two month adjournment. |