Man questioned over fatal Bray fire

Gardaí are continuing to question a man in connection with a fatal fire in Co Wicklow in which two part-time firemen were killed…

Gardaí are continuing to question a man in connection with a fatal fire in Co Wicklow in which two part-time firemen were killed.

Mark O'Shaughnessy (26) and Brian Murray (46) died on September 26th, 2007, when a roof collapsed as they were attempting to extinguish a fire at an abandoned factory on Lower Dargle Road in Bray.

Mr O'Shaughnessy and Mr Murray, a father of 13 children, were the first firefighters to be killed in the Republic while fighting a blaze since 1936.

A man was arrested this morning in connection with the matter and is being questioned at Bray Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He can be detained for up to 24 hours. Four people have previously been questioned by gardaí regarding the fire, which was also investigated by the Health and Safety Authority and Wicklow County Council.

Following the incident, serious concerns were expressed about the fact that Mr O'Shaughnessy and Mr Murray, who were part-time firefighters, were alone when trying to bring the fire under control.

Their families have been campaigning for reform of the fire services in Co Wicklow since the men's deaths, claiming there was a delay in responding to the fire and that it was out of control by the time fire crews arrived.

They believe the delay was a major factor in the men's deaths.

The inquest into Mr O'Shaughnessy and Mr Murray's deaths has been adjourned several times to give gardaí more time to investigate.

A plaque commemorating their work and bravery was erected in Bray a year after the tragedy.

Steven Carroll

Steven Carroll

Steven Carroll is an Assistant News Editor with The Irish Times