Tragic deaths cast a pall of sadness over Navan and Kells

The communities of Navan and Kells will pay a heartbreaking farewell today (Wednesday) to the victims of Saturday's tragic house fire in Navan, which claimed the lives of 27 year-old Michelle Gilbert and her six year-old son, Jack Harten. The grim discovery of their bodies was made at their home in Canterbrook at 1pm on Saturday afternoon, when a neighbour noticed blackened windows in the house in the quiet estate on the Trim Road. Gardaí and fire services were alerted and, on searching the house, discovered both bodies in an upstairs bedroom. There was nobody else in the house at the time. Michelle and Jack are believed to have died from smoke inhalation caused by fumes from a sofa which had smouldered overnight, filling the house with smoke. Supt Michael Devine of Navan Garad Station described the incident as a terrible tragedy and said his thoughts were with their family and friends. He said that following the post-mortem results, there would be no further garda investigation into the incident. Pupils From St Anne's School, where little Jack was a pupil, are expected to form a guard of honour as the remains arrive at St Mary's Church for 10am Mass. The funeral will take place to St Finian's Cemetery. Read the full story in this week's edition of The Meath Chronicle.