Witnesses sought to suspected arson attack in which man died

THE RESULTS of a postmortem into the death of an 81-year-old pensioner who died in a suspected arson attack are expected to be made public today.

Retired Bord na Móna employee Michael Crowe was killed when fire broke out in his home in Newbridge, Co Kildare, in the early hours of Sunday.

Mr Crowe died on arrival at Naas General Hospital. His son Tommy, who attempted to rescue him, and his wife Betty were both also taken to hospital.

Tommy, who works in the OPW in the Curragh, has burns to his face and hands from the rescue attempt. Mrs Crowe was suffering from smoke inhalation.

Local Independent councillor Paddy Kelly, who is a neighbour of the family, said the fact that somebody broke the window downstairs, left and then returned several hours later to start the fire suggested that the house was deliberately targeted.

“I don’t think you could make the same mistake twice,” he said.

The suspected arson attack happened in the settled Páirc Mhuire Estate at about 6am on Sunday.

Mr Kennedy said he, along with other neighbours, felt physically sick about what had happened Mr Crowe and his family who he described as “nice civil people” and good neighbours.

“I’ve been in the house with them time umpteen times. We can’t fathom it. They would be the last family in Newbridge to be attacked,” he said.

Gardaí have asked anyone who was in the estate between midnight on Saturday and 6am on Sunday, and may have seen anyone behaving suspiciously, to contact Newbridge Garda station on 045-440180 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.