A man in Co Fermanagh has pleaded guilty to the murder of three members of the same family in a tragic fire. Daniel Sebastian Allen, 32, admitted to the murder of Roman Gossett, 16, Sabrina Gossett, 19, and 15-month-old Morgana Quinn in Craigavon Crown Court. He also pleaded guilty to arson and, relating to the death of 45-year-old Denise Gossett, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of a suicide pact. Allen was sentenced to life imprisonment, and will appear again in court on September 15th for a tariff hearing.
The incident occurred on February 27th, 2018, when a fire broke out in the family’s home in Derrylin. All four family members were killed in the fire, and the community was shocked by the tragedy.
Police investigations discovered that the fire was started deliberately, and this led to Allen being charged with multiple offenses. His guilty plea means that the trial will not go ahead, saving the family the stress of further legal proceedings.
Denise Gossett’s family have expressed their grief and devastation at the loss of their loved ones. They have been vocal in their calls for justice and hope that Allen’s sentencing will bring some sense of closure.
While nothing can bring back the Gossett family, Allen’s guilty plea and subsequent sentence will hopefully serve as a warning to those who may be considering such heinous acts in the future. It is important to remember the impact that one person’s actions can have on an entire community, and how vital it is to seek help if one is struggling with mental health issues or other difficulties. The Gossett family may never fully recover from the tragedy they have endured, but they deserve justice for their loved ones and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.
