Man accused of fatal house fire in Fermanagh, to stand trial for murder.

By Michael Donnelly

The 29-year-old man accused of causing the Co Fermanagh fatal house fire in February last year, in which four poeple, including a toddler died, is to stand trial for their murder in Belfast in the New Year.

Daniel Sebastian Allen, with an address in Molly Road, Derrylin, is due to appear before the city's Crown Court in Laganside Courthouse on January 24 next, is accused of the murder of the grandmother, two of her children and her granddaughter, and with arson, endangering life. 

Grandmother Denis Gossett (45), her 16-year-old son Roman, his 19-year-old sister Sabrina, and her 15-month-old daughter Morgana, were caught in the fatal blaze in their rented home at 57 Molly Road, Derrylin on February 27 last year.

Allen appeared at Fermanagh Magistrates Court where his case was due to go ahead as a preliminary investigation, a PI, but after a witness was removed from the papers, the case proceeded as a preliminary enquiry (PE) today (Tuesday), instead before District Judge Stephen Keown.

Appearing in the dock wearing a grey jumper and light-coloured blue jeans and when asked did he object to the holding of a PE, replied, "No", and when later when asked if he wanted to say anything or to give any evidence or call any witnesses, he replied, “not at this time”.

Returning him for trial, and remanding him back into custody, DJ Keown, said he was satisfied Allen had a case to answer.

Daniel Sebastian Allen leaving Fermanagh Court. Pic By Alan Irwin.