Gardaí have made a major breakthrough in three cold case deaths in Co Kildare.

Barbara Doyle (20) was babysitting her two young nieces - Mary Ellen Byrne (8) and Kerrie Byrne (3) - on this day in 1987, while the girls' parents attended a 21st birthday party.

Sometime between 3am and 4am, a fire broke out at the home on Church Lane - killing Barbara and her two nieces.

Detectives have upgraded the inquiry to a triple murder investigation after 'new evidence’ came to light.

They believe that there are people who will remember the fire but have not yet spoken to the gardai.

Stephanie Grogan reports:

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Leixlip Garda Station at 01-6667800 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

Gardai say a fire in Kilcock in 1987 in which a woman and two young girls died is now being treated as a triple murder investigation pic.twitter.com/MZhVxBRLbX

— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) September 20, 2017