TD condemns fire attack on children as 'savagery'

A fire attack on a car that left two Limerick children fighting for their lives was an incomprehensible act of savagery, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said tonight.

The Limerick TD said extra gardaí resources are available to draft into the Moyross area of Limerick city to stop sporadic violence which escalated at the weekend.

Four-year-old Gavin Murphy and his sister, Millie, six, were in the back of a car parked at Pineview Gardens when the blaze started on Sunday afternoon.

Both youngster suffered serious injuries and remain at the National Paediatric Burns Unit at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin.

Although senior gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident, Mr O’Dea said evidence pointed to a deliberate attack.

Their parents, Sheila Murray and Niall McNamara, were left devastated by the incident, which they also believe was deliberate.

It is claimed three teenagers threw some sort of petrol bomb into the back of the vehicle while their mother sat in the driver’s seat.

“The facts are not determined as yet, but it would appear to be a random unplanned act of incomprehensible savagery,” Mr O’Dea, who met with investigating gardai today, told RTE radio.

“It is not absolutely clear how they caused the car to go on fire and if they were aware the children were in the car, but the evidence indicates they were aware which is extremely worrying indeed.

The investigation is progressing very well and from what I have heard I am confident of a successful outcome.”

The couple, who have six other children, were together for 16 years before separating some months ago.

The children are believed to have undergone surgery today at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, where their condition is said to be critical but stable.

Their parents have now requested privacy while they deal with their children’s plight.

Michael Lyons, Chief Executive Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, said caring staff at the hospital will continue to treat the young brother and sister.

“The mother of Millie and Gavin has asked that the public would pray for her children and all concerned at this difficult time,” he added.