Prayers said for Wexford fire family

A family of four found dead in the home in Wexford have been remembered at local mass services this morning.

Father-of-two Dermot Flood, who died where the blaze started, and his 38-year-old wife Lorraine both suffered severe injuries other than burns.

Their children, Mark aged six, and Julie aged five, died from the fire which ripped through their Co Wexford home at dawn.

Ballistic tests will also be carried out on a legally held shotgun found in the home to determine if it was used to shoot the couple.

Preliminary examinations were carried out on the bodies of the young family in the home in Clonroche but they were so badly burned visual inspections were inconclusive.

Post mortem examinations will be carried out in the Dublin City Morgue today.

The Flood family were well known across the county both in business and social circles.

Gardaí said there was no sign of a break-in at the home and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the fire or the deaths.

The blaze was spotted by a neighbour as dawn broke over the quiet Wexford village. Three locals tried to get into the house and attempt a rescue but the flames beat them back.

Mrs Flood was found dead in the couple’s bedroom, her daughter Julie in her own bedroom while Mark perished on the landing.

It is the second time in just over a year Wexford has been hit by similar devastating tragedy.

In an apparent murder suicide in the nearby village of Monageer last April blind father-of-two Adrian Dunne, his wife Ciara, and their two children were found at their home.

Three days earlier the family visited an undertaker to arrange funerals.