Parents and their five children among 10 killed in Carrickmines fire

Update 8.30pm: Books of condolences for the families affected by the Carrickmines tragedy will be open across the community tomorrow. Ten people were killed, including a mother, father and their five children who were all under 10 years old.

Parents and their five children among 10 killed in Carrickmines fire

Update 8.30pm: Books of condolences for the families affected by the Carrickmines tragedy will be open across the community tomorrow. Ten people were killed, including a mother, father and their five children who were all under 10 years old.

A pregnant woman is also reported to be among the dead.

Books of condolences will open at Leopardstown Shopping Centre, Centra Stepaside, The Market Belarmine and at Customer Services in Dundrum Shopping Centre.

Update 8pm: Local people are helping to provide food for the bereaved. The local Dunnes Stores has donated thousands of euros worth of supplies including clothes, nappies, babies' bottles and food.

A wider view of the portacabins at the halting site on Glenamuck Road. The focus of the fire is seen on the left of this picture.
A wider view of the portacabins at the halting site on Glenamuck Road. The focus of the fire is seen on the left of this picture.

Update 6.40pm: A mother, father, their four sons aged under 10 and infant daughter are all understood to have been killed in the fire.

Confirming the deaths, the Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "Unfortunately a husband and wife, their four sons, baby daughter and other relations lost their lives, and in that sense it's a terrible tragedy."

Tributes have been placed outside the halting site.
Tributes have been placed outside the halting site.

(This is the pic with the teddy)

Update 6.30pm: Three people, including a child, are still being treated in hospital this evening. Glenamuck Road remains sealed off by a patrolled Garda cordon. Members of the Garda Technical bureau are still examining the scene, and the assistant state pathologist also carried out an examination.

Families left homeless by the tragedy are being accommodated tonight by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Council.

A woman leaves flowers with gardaí to place at the scene of the fire on Glenamuck road. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie
A woman leaves flowers with gardaí to place at the scene of the fire on Glenamuck road. Picture: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Earlier:

The death toll from the fire at Carrickmines, South Dublin, has risen to 10 after another child died in hospital.

Gardaí reported that the youngest fatality is a five-month-old baby. It is believed five children were killed, two of them babies.

The 10 dead are from two families and also include a mother and father and their four sons, all aged under 10. The fire is being treated as a tragic accident, a traveller support group said.

Gardaí cordon off the road at Carrickmines, South Dublin. Pic: Rolling News
Gardaí cordon off the road at Carrickmines, South Dublin. Pic: Rolling News

A Garda spokesman confirmed the death toll had climbed to 10 after the baby girl, understood to have turned five months at the end of September, died in hospital. The other baby who died was one month older, at six months.

It is largest loss of life by fire in the State since 48 people were killed in the Stardust nightclub in 1981.

Paramedics risked their lives to rescue children

Emergency services arrived at the scene on Glenamuck road at a around 4.30am today, following a call from a member of the public. The halting site is located just off the M50, close to Carrickmines Golf Club.

Ambulances brought two adults and two children to St Vincent's and Tallaght Hospitals for treatment for smoke inhalation. One of those children was the latest to die from the effects of the fire.

A number of the other victims were confirmed dead at the halting site.

Dublin Fire Brigade said paramedics had risked their lives to rescue children from the fire.

The shrine outside the Glenamuck Road halting site, where floral tributes were laid.
The shrine outside the Glenamuck Road halting site, where floral tributes were laid.

It is reported that 20 members from two families were living on the halting site, which had around six modular homes for accomodation.

Two of the four housing units on the site were badly damaged in the fire. Initial investigations suggest that the blaze broke out in one and spread to another.

It is understood the site also contains a number of caravans.

The Southside Traveller Action Group has extended its deepest sympathies to the relatives of the families killed in the fire.

They said: "Ten members of two families died in the fire (nine on the site and one later in hospital) on the four-bay halting site on Glenamuck Road where they had lived for about eight years. A number of people are being treated for their injuries.

"The cause of the accidental fire is currently being investigated by the Gardaí.

"Southside Travellers is supporting the families and the Traveller community in south Dublin, who are in a state of shock at the devastating loss of lives. Accommodation for people left homeless by the fire is being arranged by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council.

"Families gathered today at our centre in southside Dublin where we are doing everything we can to support them. We thank the gardaí for their support at this time and appeal to the media to respect the privacy of the families of those who died."

Chief Superintendent Diarmuid O'Sullivan called the fire "a terrible tragedy".

The Tánaiste Joan Burton said she was "deeply saddened" to learn of the tragedy.

She said: "I would like to express my deepest sympathies with the families of those who tragically lost their lives. I wish those injured the very best with their recovery.

"I would like to acknowledge the emergency services for the efficient and professional manner in which they responded to the tragedy.

"My thoughts are with all those affected as they mourn the loss of their loved ones."

A number of ambulances attended the scene, and six units of the Dublin Fire Brigade are still tackling the blaze.

A Garda technical examination of the scene is due to take place.

It is understood the scene was difficult to examine due to the extensive damage caused by the blaze and the number of people caught up in it.

Forensic examinations are continuing this evening with Dr Margaret Bolster, assistant state pathologist, at the halting site leading the technical analysis.

'Heartbreaking'

The Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said the incident was heartbreaking for all in the traveller and wider local community, and asked for prayers to be said for the dead and injured and their families.

Alan Kelly, Environment Minister, issued a statement on behalf of the Government and said he learned of the tragedy with shock and the deepest regret.

“On behalf of the Government I want to extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased and their extended community,” he said.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin said: “This is an extremely shocking incident and I want to express my deepest sympathy to the families affected by this tragedy.”

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said it was “horrific news to wake to on a Saturday morning”.

Alex White, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and TD for Dublin Rathdown, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are currently battling with their injuries, and the families and friends of all those who died.”

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