Investigation into Christmas Day fire widens

Detectives and fire authorities were keeping an open mind today on the cause of a Christmas Day house fire which claimed the lives of a mother and her two daughters.

Initially the blaze at the isolated farmhouse in Co Kilkenny was being treated as a tragic accident, but gardaí have confirmed all circumstances surrounding the deaths are being investigated.

Sharon Whelan, 30, and her daughters Zsara, seven, and Nadia, two and a half, perished in the blaze at their rented home on a country lane close to the small village of Windgap.

The fire broke out at around 9am on Christmas morning with neighbours breaking in to try and rescue the family.

Family spokesman, Ms Whelan's uncle Pat Hayes said local gardaí have been unable to give relatives any commitments on when the three bodies can be released for funerals.

"The hardest thing in particular has been the long delay in releasing the bodies," he said.

"Like anyone trying to grieve and get on with things that can only be done when the removal and the burials take place."

The fire had destroyed the roof of the house and also caused some structural damage to the building preventing garda forensic teams from carrying out detailed examinations.

Fire safety officers had warned the walls were unstable but detectives resumed searches today and kept several hundred yards of land around the home cordoned off.

House to house inquiries were also being conducted throughout the day.

Post mortem examinations have taken place but it is understood the pathologists office is reluctant to release the bodies in case further tests are needed.

Relatives had hoped the pathologists office and detectives would agree to release the bodies by today in order for funerals to be arranged.

Mr Hayes was due to meet with garda liaison officers to discuss the matter.

The close-knit community of Windgap was said to be devastated by the deaths which occurred hours after the children's grandfather left presents for them on Christmas Eve.

The local GAA club, which the Whelan family have strong links to, has left the team colours at half mast since last Thursday's tragedy.

Ms Whelan, who was separated from the children's father, was described as an easy-going, well-liked woman devoted to her children.

A garda spokesman added: "All circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are being investigated.

"The investigation into the deaths is ongoing."

Relatives are hoping funerals can be arranged for the end of the week.