Jon McGregor wrote one of the best novels of 2017. In advance of his visit to Listowel, he tells Richard Fitzpatrick about his magnificent tale

THE rising death toll could yet see the July 7 bombings join the grim list of largest losses of British lives since the Second World War.

A homeless fruit picker today pleaded not guilty to murder and arson charges linked to a devastating blaze that ripped through an Australian backpackers’ hostel, killing 15 tourists nearly two years ago.