Two charged over fireman's death

Two men were charged today with causing the death of a firefighter in a malicious blaze at a Northern Ireland hotel.

The men, aged 32 and 39, are due to appear in court in Magherafelt, Co Derry, accused of manslaughter following the fire 10 days ago, said police.

Fire officer Joe McCluskey died in hospital the day after being injured while tackling the blaze at the Gorteen House Hotel in Limavady, Co Derry, on November 1.

The 50-year-old, a father of five from Dungiven, suffered extensive burns.

He was on one of six appliances which were called to the hotel to put out a fire in a storeroom at the hotel on Saturday night.

He fell through the roof of the hotel and died in hospital the next day – but not before telling his wife he loved her.

Mr McCloskey was the first firefighter to die on duty in Northern Ireland for almost 10 years and thousands of people lined the streets of Dungiven and shops and businesses closed as a mark of respect during his funeral Mass last Thursday.

About 500 firefighters were among the mourners and his coffin was carried by his Dungiven colleagues.