Fireman cleared over girl's death

The court heard the firefighter lost control of his vehicle

A part-time fireman has been acquitted of killing a child in a road accident.

Dungannon Crown Court found Richard Mullan not guilty of causing the death of 21-month-old Ciara Marie Lee during an emergency call in September 2002.

Mr Mullan, 38, of Tempo Road, Enniskillen, was also cleared of two further charges of causing grievous bodily injury by dangerous driving.

The court had heard the firefighter lost control of his rescue vehicle and crashed into a car the child was in.

Ciara's two brothers and childminder were also in the car when the accident happened on the Derrylin to Lisnaskea Road.

Outside the court the Lee family said they were disappointed by the verdicts but realised they were "appropriate on the basis of the evidence".

They said they felt "no ill will" for Mr Mullan and hoped that "he would rebuild his life as we hope to do".

In a statement, the Fire Brigade said it had been a very sad case.

"Now that the outcome of the court proceedings is known the chief fire officer will decide how to bring the matter to a conclusion internally," it said.