Council re-houses family after arson attack

A LIMERICK family burned out of their home in an arson attack early on Sunday morning were yesterday re-housed by the city council.

Michael and Sandra Meehan lost all their possessions when their home at O’Callaghan Avenue, Killeely was set alight at around 2am.

Taxi driver Michael was at work. His wife Sandra managed to get the children out an upstairs window, lowering them to neighbours Ger O’Halloran and Stephen O’Donnell, who ran to the rescue after hearing screams.

The children, Danielle, 11, Michaela, 7, Michael, 4, and four-month-old Kerry, had just returned the previous day from Ballybunion after a holiday with their parents.

Gardaí suspect the fire was caused after petrol was poured in a letterbox and set alight.

The family were in the process of purchasing the house from Limerick City Council.

Mr Meehan said: “Our neighbours were fantastic and we are glad that Sandra and the children got out alive. We lost everything, but we are all alive.

“We are also very thankful to Cllr Kevin Kiely who has been very helpful in getting us re-housed.”

Gardaí at Mayorstone who are investigating said the Meehans were a respected and law-abiding family.

They hope to move back to the badly damaged house when it has been repaired by the council.