A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into a triple murder in Co Kildare 30 years ago.

20-year-old Barbara Doyle and her nieces Mary Ellen Byrne (8) and Kerrie Byrne (3) died in a house fire on Church Lane in Kilcock on September 20th 1987.

Barbara had been babysitting while the two girls' parents - Aidan (now deceased) and Elizabeth - went to a 21st party in the area.

Last week, gardaí announced they had upgraded their investigation to murder on foot of new evidence, saying they now believe that the fire was started deliberately.

A man in his 50s was arrested this afternoon in North County Dublin in connection with the investigation.

He is currently being questioned at Leixlip Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.