Clondalkin fire ‘the most tragic’ incident

THE community in Clondalkin has been left reeling after last week’s horrific fire tragedy that included the deaths of three young children.

Annemarie O’Brien (27), who was seven months pregnant, died alongside her two-year-old daughter Paris when the fire broke out at their apartment in the Kilcronan Estate in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Another little girl, Holly O’Brien (3), died in the blaze and her four-year-old brother Jordan later passed away in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Holly and Jordan’s mother, Brigid  ‘Biddy’, (30) Annemarie’s cousin, was in a critical condition at St James’s Hospital.

They had been residents of a women’s refuge at Cluainin Cronan when the tragedy occurred.

As investigations into the blaze, believed to have been caused by an electric fault, continue this week, the local community has expressed its shock and sadness in the horrific aftermath.

“I have grown up in Clondalkin all my life and this is one of the most tragic incidents that I remember in a very long time,” said local Fianna Fail TD, John Curran.

“I pass my condolences onto the family and friends of the bereaved and to the community involved in this shocking incident. My prayers and thoughts are also with the young woman in hospital.

“The death of these very young children and a young mother is a tragedy and such a waste of young lives full with potential,” Deputy Curran added. “The sadness that this close community feels in Kilcronan is devastating. Everyone in Clondalkin is shocked at the loss of life.

“I would like to pay tribute to Dublin Fire Brigade, the gardaí and the emergency services who attended the scene.

“This is a very sad day for everyone in Clondalkin.

Speaking to TV3, a clearly emotional Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Frances FitzGerald, who visited the scene of the fatal house fire, said it was a “terrible tragedy this beautiful morning”.

“To think that four people have lost their lives and that there’s another woman in hospital, it’s just desperately sad; everyone’s very traumatised by it,” she said.

Minister FitzGerald added: “I’ve sent my condolences through the Sonas workers, who of course knew all the families, and who are now trying to support other families who are here. 

REPORT: Andrew Ralph