Memorial to 15 hostel fire backpackers to open in October

A memorial to the 15 travellers, including an Irish woman, killed when an arsonist set fire to a hostel in Australia is to be opened in October.

It will include a glass wall encasing mementos of the victims.

It is in a new complex including a tourist bureau and plaza being built on the site of the fire at the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers.

Julie O'Keefe (aged 25), from Raheen in Limerick, died in the blaze on June 23, 2000, along with seven Britons, two Dutch, three Australians and one person from South Korea and Japan.

Robert Paul Long was sentenced to life in prison earlier this year for arson and murder after being found guilty of starting the blaze. The trial judge recommended he serve a minimum of 20 years.