THE APARTMENT WHERE a fire broke out overnight that took the life of a young woman and three children is being technically examined.
The 27-year-old woman and girls aged two and three were pronounced dead after being taken to Tallaght hospital. A four-year-old boy rescued from the scene and brought to hospital died this evening. Another woman remains in a critical condition.
The fire broke out at Cluainin Cronan, Clondalkin in the early hours of this morning, Dublin Fire Brigade was called to the scene at around 2.30am.
The scene was quiet with only one garda present when reporters started arriving after news broke about the deaths just before 8am.
The apartment, which is used as a supported housing complex for women and children, is next to the canal which has a wide walkway for walkers and cyclists.
People cycled past on their way to work this morning, a few occasionally stopping to ask reporters what had happened.
At the other end of the apartment complex was a small garden where childrens’ bicycles could be seen strewn across the lawn.
Neighbours began arriving with flowers, teddies and candles during the morning. One woman who left flowers told TheJournal.ie that the women were just trying to get on with life.
They wouldn’t harm anybody, they were just trying to live their lives. Their lives were difficult enough as it was. They were just looking for a bit of peace in there.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the other woman and child now who are still in hospital.
There’s a real sense of shock. You’re looking at it, you’re standing here looking at it but you still can’t believe it.
Another woman said, “You’d wonder how things like this can happen in this day and age, babies, it’s shocking … it’s very very tragic.”
Lisa Kinsella Coleman and Roselyn Byrne arrived with flowers, two teddies and three candles to show respect for the people who died. Coleman said:
It’s just devastating for the area, a terribly sad day.
Domestic Violence Charity Sonas expressed its devastation at the tragic loss of life in its facility.
Sonas CEO Fiona Ryan said, “Our sympathies and condolences are with the relatives and friends of the deceased and all those impacted by this awful tragedy.
We are devastated by the tragic loss of life which occurred as a result of fire in an apartment in our supported housing complex in Clondalkin.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has also offered his sympathies, speaking at an event in Dublin this morning, before the death of the third child.
Kenny said, “I want to tender our sympathy on the death of a young mother and two young girls who lost their lives in a fire early this morning and to the others who have been injured.”
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Mark Ward said, “It’s probably one of the worst things to happen in the area, for a young woman and two children to lose their lives like this is just horrific.
“Gardaí are doing an investigation and I would appeal for anybody who has any information to get in touch with the gardaí.”
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