They are both frightened to sleep on their own, says mother

BANDAGING little Gavin Murray’s massive burn injuries was so painful doctors had to put him under full anaesthetic for each procedure.

The extent of the horrific burns suffered by Gavin, 4, and Millie, 6, were detailed in court as a packed public gallery listened in hushed disbelief.

Close to tears their mother, Sheila, took the witness box and said how their life now revolves around Millie and Gavin’s treatment.

“We can’t go anywhere or arrange anything like a break away for them or the rest of the six children. I have to sit up most nights with Gavin as he gets bad nightmares. They are both frightened to sleep on their own and sleep with me.

“Myself and all my children are having counselling. Since they came out of hospital in January, they have their dressing and creams done by nurses every second day and get physiotherapy three times a week. They have to wear special garments all over their burns.

“Gavin has one for his back, neck and his head as most of his burns are on his head. The children complain about wearing them as they are very uncomfortable, especially in the warm weather, and I have a constant struggle to get them to wear them.”

Medical reports were read out in court which detailed that more than 24% of Millie’s body was badly burned with injuries to her face, arms, thigh and lower back.

She was so burned, doctors found it difficult to get intravenous lines into veins when she arrived at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

Gavin received grotesque burn injuries to his face and head and 22% of his total body area was burned.

Insp Seamus Nolan told the court: “He had one ear melted away by the fire.”

Both children will be permanently disfigured according to Dr David Orr, who treated them in the burns unit at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin. Reading from Dr Orr’s medical report, Insp Nolan said: “The burns to Gavin’s face were so severe and dressing so painful it had to be done under anaesthetic. He has significant facial disfigurement with the destruction of the left ear with only one scarred remnant.”

Insp Nolan said Gavin will require multiple operations over the years as he gets older and the disfigurement of his face will not benefit from reconstruction surgery.

The court was also told that Millie and Gavin will experience extensive psychological trauma as they grow older.

Sheila Murray said: “When they were coming off the sedation in Crumlin they were in terrible pain, but I had to be there to support them with the medical staff. Most of the time I had to leave the room, because I couldn’t stand to watch them anymore.”

She spoke of the guilt she still feels at not being able to rescue them from the petrol bomb inferno which will never be forgotten in Limerick and elsewhere.