The murders of a mother, her two young children and a family friend, in a house in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, on Nov 15, 2010, was described by a coroner as “mindless, mind-numbing, inexplicable, vicious” crime which shocked the nation.

AN ELDERLY Co Limerick priest did not perish in an arson attack early yesterday because he was afraid to stay overnight in his parochial residence after a previous night of terror.