Apartment complex set on fire as part of family feud
A MAN will be sentenced later for setting an apartment complex on fire as part of a family feud and causing almost €400,000 in damages.
Patrick Maughan (29) set the fire outside an occupied flat in the complex while a family with two young children were inside. There were no injuries aside from smoke inhalation but 31 people, including children, had to be evacuated. Some of the residents had to climb over their balconies to escape.
After the fire 20 apartments had to be repaired and the residents were in alternative accommodation for eight months. The company who owned the complex incurred a total loss of over €500,000 in repairs, lost rent and rehousing costs.
For the full story see page 6 of The Echo.