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Blaze deaths caused 'huge trauma' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The deaths of seven people in a house fire in County Tyrone inflicted "unbearable suffering and pain" on the community, a priest has said. | |
Monsignor Joseph Donnelly was speaking at Requiem Mass for Arthur McElhill, his partner Lorraine McGovern and their five children. | |
The family died in a blaze at their home in Omagh last month. | |
The funerals had been delayed because of a disagreement over where the family members would be buried. | |
Mediators were reportedly brought in when it emerged that Mr McElhill was being treated as a suspect in a murder investigation about the fire. | |
Police began a murder inquiry after investigators discovered petrol had been scattered inside the house and set alight. | Police began a murder inquiry after investigators discovered petrol had been scattered inside the house and set alight. |
Arthur McElhill is being treated as a suspect in the murder inquiry | |
No more details about the murder investigation have been released. | |
Requiem Mass for the family is being held at the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh. | |
Monsignor Donnelly told mourners that words failed to described the immensity of what had happened. | |
He said the community, particularly the children, had been left traumatised by the deaths. | |
The priest added that the town may have the experience of tragedy but that it could never become accustomed to it. | |
After the Mass, Mr McElhill's remains will be taken to his home town of Ederney, in County Fermanagh, while the rest of the family will be buried in Corlough, County Cavan, from where Ms McGovern hails. | |
Caroline, 13, Sean, 7, Bellina, 4, Clodagh, 19 months and nine-month-old James all died in the fire which swept through their home in Lammy Crescent in the early hours of 13 November. | Caroline, 13, Sean, 7, Bellina, 4, Clodagh, 19 months and nine-month-old James all died in the fire which swept through their home in Lammy Crescent in the early hours of 13 November. |
Pupils from Sacred Heart College and St Conor's Primary School have been forming a guard of honour. |