13 Years For Arsonist Over Death Of 5-Year-Old Girl

A man has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for the manslaughter of a five-year-old child who died in a house fire in Co Roscommon.

Mari Keane Connolly died after 33-year-old John Lynch set fire to her father's home in Boyle in October 2011.

Lynch was also sentenced to eight years for arson with intent to endanger life and eight years for causing serious harm to Mari's father, Richard Connolly.

Mr Connolly suffered spinal injuries while trying to save himself and his three daughters from the blaze.

Judge Anthony Hunt said the three sentences are to run concurrently from 13 October last year.

Judge Hunt said he did not accept Lynch's claim that he did not know there was anybody in the house, saying Lynch was guilty of recklessness of the highest order and he could not flush from his mind the consequences of Lynch's actions.

He said a little girl had died in horrifying circumstances and the depths of terror of her final moments defy imagination.

Mari's mother Teresa Keane said no amount of apologies would bring Mari back and she would never forgive Lynch.

(H)