Gardaí have issued a fresh appeal for information on the 10th anniversary of the death of a boy in a fire in Tallaght.
Stephen Connors (12), died from smoke inhalation after flames gutted a makeshift hut where he was spending the night with a 14-year-old friend close to his home at Rossfield Park at around 5.20am on September 1st, 2001.
His companion Darren Hall escaped with minor injuries.
While it was initially thought the boys had started the blaze by knocking over a candle, gardaí now believe it was started deliberately.
Video footage recorded at a nearby business premises shows a man approaching the scene and leaving in a hurry several minutes before a small explosion sets the hut, which was built from pallets and carpet, ablaze.
The close circuit footage, recorded at a nearby business premises, shows an unidentified man approaching the pallet with a dog, leaving and then returning alone approximately nine minutes later. Shortly after he departs for the second time, a small explosion can be seen off camera.
The incident was featured in a Crimeline programme in 2003 and re-examined by the Serious Crime Review Team. A man (51) was arrested in 2003 and a file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The man was not prosecuted.
Stephen’ mother Liz Hughes said she remains devastated by her son’s death. “It would be a comfort to kknow what happened to Stephen – even after all these years,” she said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tallaght Garda station on 01 666 6000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.