Man arrested after Waterford petrol bomb attack leaves three children in hospital

By Conor Kane, Irish Examiner

A one-year-old baby, her 11-year-old sister and third person are in hospital tonight after suffering injuries following a petrol bomb attack in Waterford.

The two girls were in the front room of a house in Ardmore Park, in the Ballybeg area of the city, when the incident happened after 9pm.

It’s understood a petrol bomb was thrown through the sitting-room window of the house, causing extensive damage to the room.

There were at least two other children, including a three-month-old baby, in the house at the time of the attack - which is now the subject of investigation by local gardaí.

A third child was also taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

A 23-year-old man was arrested last night in Waterford city in relation to the incident and was being held for questioning in the local garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Both of the injured girls, who were in the front room of the house, suffered burn injuries and one also suffered cuts as a result of being struck by broken glass. Their injuries were reported to be serious but not life-threatening.

One was transferred to Cork University Hospital last night for specialist treatment.

The children’s grandmother had a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the flames before the damage became any worse.

“The front room was destroyed,” one local man said. “Only for the granny had a fire extinguisher, it could have been worse.”

The children’s mother travelled to Waterford Regional Hospital to be with them while they received treatment for their injuries.

The family subjected to the attack are not part of any feud, it’s believed, but have been targetted by a local criminal gang in the past. “They’re all in distress,” local councillor John Hearne said after visiting the scene.

The house is a two-storey terraced house in the Ardmore Park estate, close to the city’s Cork Road.

Gardaí preserved the scene of the incident last night to allow a forensic examination take place.

“We’re looking for any witnesses or people who may have been in that area to come forward,” Superintendent Chris Delaney said.

He confirmed there was “some damage caused to the lower ground front area” of the house.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.