Episode 64 - The McElhill Family
In November 2007 29 year old Lorraine McGovern and her five children – Caroline, Sean, Bellina, Clodagh and James - were killed in a fire in their home in Omagh, Northern Ireland. The fire was set deliberately by Lorraine’s partner Arthur McElhill who also died in the fire. McElhill was a convicted sex offender who groomed and abused many teenage girls including his partner Lorraine. A review into the murders found that authorities could not have stopped their deaths – I am not so sure.
This is the story of the McElhill Family.
Information and support
· Samaritans UK Contact Us | Samaritans
· National Domestic Violence Helpline UK 0808 2000 247
· Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse (AAFDA) Home - AAFDA
· Women’s Aid Home - Women's Aid
· National Domestic Abuse Helpline UK 0808 2000 247
· Mental health support USA Mental Health America | Homepage | Mental Health America
· Domestic abuse helpline USA 1.800.799.SAFE Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline
References
‘Help me, I’m burning’ - chilling last words of Omagh blaze teen | BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
BBC News - Who was Arthur McElhill?
BBC News - Sex abuser McElhill killed his family in Omagh fire
McElhill fire deaths: Relatives sue for damages - BBC News
McElhill fire murder house in Omagh is demolished - BBC News
Northern Ireland Assembly debate McElhill/McGovern Tragedy in Omagh: 8 Feb 2010: Northern Ireland Assembly debates - TheyWorkForYou
Adolescence links:
Adolescence: ‘I left the No 10 roundtable with a sense of optimism.’ | The Children's Society
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Killer in the family podcast
A true crime podcast exploring men who kill their families.
- No. of episodes: 68
- Latest episode: 2025-05-09
- True Crime News
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