A MAN was being questioned last night in connection with the investigation into a fire that claimed the lives of two firemen in Bray, Co Wicklow, last year.
Mark O'Shaughnessy (26) and Brian Murray (46), a father of 13, died when they became trapped inside a smoke-filled factory after its ceiling collapsed.
"As part of the ongoing Garda and Health and Safety Authority investigation into the death of two firemen in Bray on September 26th, 2007, gardaí at Bray have this morning arrested a male in his 40s under the provisions of Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Persons Act 1997 - reckless endangerment," a Garda statement said.
The man is being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Bray Garda station.
Officers can hold him for a total of 24 hours before releasing or charging him.
The man, who it is understood to be from Arklow, was arrested at about 8.30am. Reports yesterday said further arrests were expected in the case. The families of the men who died appeared before an Oireachtas committee earlier this year and called for an independent investigation into the blaze.
They have privately engaged a Glasgow-based firm of fire investigators to carry out a report on the fire.
The Garda, the Health and Safety Authority and Wicklow County Council each launched investigations after the deaths.
A short memorial service to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy will take place next Friday morning at the site where the men died, the Murray family said.
The following day, a Mass will be held in the Church of the Holy Redeemer on Bray Main Street at 11am.