Two quizzed in relation to fire attack on children

Two teenagers were tonight being questioned in connection with a fire attack on a car in Limerick which left two children fighting for their lives.

Four-year-old Gavin Murray and his sister, Millie, six, suffered severe burns when a blaze took hold of the vehicle on Sunday afternoon.

They had been sitting in the back seat of the car which was parked at Pineview Gardens in the troubled Moyross area of the city.

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

Gardaí said both youths were arrested this evening in Limerick City. They are being held at Mayorstone Garda station under the provisions of Section 30 Offences against the State Act, 1939.

The children’s parents, Sheila Murray and Niall McNamara, were left devastated by the incident.

It is claimed sort of petrol bomb was thrown into the back of the vehicle while their mother was sitting in the driver’s seat.

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

The children, whose condition is said to be critical but stable, are believed to need extensive surgery.

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

Michael Lyons, chief executive of 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.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said extra garda resources would be drafted into the area to stop sporadic violence which escalated at the weekend.

The Limerick TD, who met investigating gardaí today, stressed the investigating was progressing well.