Woman jumped from upper floor of Dublin 8 house set ablaze in arson attack

LAST UPDATE | 3 Nov

RESIDENTS IN A cul-de-sac in Dublin 8 are shaken after many witnessed a family of seven struggle to flee their home after being targeted in an overnight arson attack.

The Journal understands that gardaí are investigating a theory that the incident may be a targeted case of intimidation.

Gardaí and Dublin Fire Brigade went to the scene at Clanbrassil Close, Dublin 8 at around 2.30am. The incident happened at a small group of houses near the Grand Canal and Griffith College and close to Harold’s Cross. 

Firefighters fought the blaze and brought it under control. 

The house at the scene on Clanbrassil Close. Leah Farrell

Today, neighbours in the estate were hugging each other, and visibly shaken. 

One woman explained that people are “scared” that more properties in the area could be targeted, and that multiple neighbours attempted to help the family escape from the property, which she said was “engulfed in flames completely in a very short space of time”. 

It is understood that the oldest woman who was in the property had to jump from the back bedroom window on the upper floor of the property, and suffered serious injuries as a result. 

“Neighbours climbed over the back walls to try and help them get out,” another person said today. 

Meanwhile, a baby who was in the property is understood to have been wrapped up and brought out of the front door by family members, with the help of Dublin Fire Brigade personnel. 

The house itself is completely destroyed, and two neighbouring houses are also damaged. 

Local Labour councillor Daragh Moriarty said that all three are local authority-owned properties, and that the council has a stock of emergency housing available for emergency situations. 

“This attack was barbaric, the absolute lack of care for life is astounding. The family are in hospital and some people are receiving very serious care. 

“The method of these attacks seems to be to go for the front door and leave people without any means of escape, to lock them in a cauldron of fire, so it is horrific,” he added. 

Moriarty said that as the housing in the cul-de-sac is mostly local authority owned, there are CCTV cameras nearby the entrance, and that gardaí would be reviewing footage to identify the attackers. 

Gardaí at the scene. Leah Farrell

A garda spokesman confirmed the incident is being investigated. 

“Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage by fire at a residential premises in Clanbrassil Close, Dublin 8, in the early hours of this morning.

“Five adults and two children were taken from the scene to hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. Enquiries are ongoing,” the spokesman said.