Two men sought in fatal fire probe

GARDAÍ in Cork city have renewed their appeal for two men to come forward in connection with the fatal fire in Mahon that killed a woman and her five-year-old nephew.

Last week gardaí issued an appeal for help with their investigations into a fire that killed Ryan O’Dwyer-Hayes, and his aunt, Helena O’Dwyer, 25, at Nutley Avenue in Mahon.

Six other family members were in the house but they managed to escape from the blaze in the early hours of Easter Sunday morning.

Investigating gardaí say members of the public have come forward with information but that they are still trying to track down two men seen in the Rope Walk area of Blackrock between 2am and 3am. The first man was wearing a hoodie-type top with the hood pulled over his head and the second man was not wearing clothing on his upper body.

Gardaí say investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing and a large number of gardaí have been assigned to the case.

The funeral of Ryan O’Dwyer-Hayes took place at the North Cathedral last Friday, while Helena’s funeral was at the Church of the Holy Cross in Mahon on Saturday.

Both Ryan and his aunt were buried at St Michael’s Cemetery, Blackrock.

Up to 2,000 people have signed a book of condolences for the family at Mahon Community Centre.

The signatories include Angie and Azzedine Benhaffaf, parents of the twins Hassan and Hussein, and Cork’s lord mayor and lady mayoress.

Plans are still under way to hold a fundraising concert for the O’Dwyer family who have been left homeless since the fire. It’s understood that a promoter has offered to come on board to organise the event with Sinn Féin councillor, Chris O’Leary.

The duo believe that they will need a 400-500 seat venue to meet public demand. The book of condolences will be open until the end of this week.