Sligo man jailed for manslaughter of five-year-old girl

A Sligo man has today been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the death of Mari Connolly-Keane in Boyle last October.

John Lynch (aged 33) with an address at Church View in Boyle was convicted on three charges related to the arson attack on the Connolly home on the Termon Road in Boyle on October 3 last year.

He was sentenced to 13 years for the manslaughter of the five-year-old girl who perished in the fire despite attempts by her father Richard to bring her to safety.

Lynch was also convicted of arson with intent to cause harm and assault causing harm to Mari's father Richard who will be unable to walk unaided again following the fire.

Lynch was given an eight-year prison term for each of these convictions with all sentences to run concurrently.

In delivering his judgement at Roscommon Circuit Court this morning, Judge Tony Hunt said he was not in a position to impose the maximum or an 18-year sentence due to the mitigating circumstances to the case, noting Lynch's guilty plea and his expression of remorse, however little comfort they bring to the Keane and Connolly families.

He stated that in all his years on the bench across the country that he had not witnessed the circumstances of unique horror as had arisen in this case and that the enormity of Lynch's actions must have severe consequences.

Speaking to Shannonside News after the hearing, Mari's parents Treasa Keane and Richard Connolly said they were happy with the sentence.

They said they have received justice for Mari and from today she will rest in peace.