Ten people from two families including a mother, father and their five-month-old baby, have died after a fire broke out at a Traveller site in County Dublin. The dead are believed to be three generations of one family who have been living on the site in Carrickmines, a south Dublin suburb, for 20 years.

Five children under 10 were believed to be among the fatalities after the fire tore through the site on Saturday morning. The original death toll of nine was revised up to 10 after a baby girl died in hospital. Two other adults and two children suffering from smoke inhalation have been taken to two hospitals in the Irish capital.



It is believed that all 10 bodies were found in the same building close to a sports club on the Glenamuck Road. Although there is nothing to suggest at this stage the blaze was a result of an arson attack, the Garda’s technical bureau has sealed off the scene for forensic examination as people laid flowers on the road leading to the site.

Sinn Féin councillor Chris Curran said the family at the centre of the tragedy were “well known and well liked” in the area.

A Labour councillor for the area, Lettie McCarthy, said she believed that one of the children injured in the fire played for the local De La Salle Palmerston rugby team. McCarthy has been collecting clothes and food for the remaining members of the family, whose possessions were destroyed in the blaze.

The halting site on Glenamuck Road, on the southern side of the M50 motorway and a few miles from Sandyford in the south of the Irish capital, is believed to have contained a number of caravans. The alarm was raised at 4.24am, and soon afterwards six units of Dublin fire brigade and a number of paramedics and ambulances were on the scene.

It is understood that the site was difficult to examine due to the extensive damage caused by the blaze and the number of people caught up in it. Forensic examiners were continuing their work late into the evening, among them Dr Margaret Bolster, assistant state pathologist.

The Irish president, Michael Higgins, said he was shocked and saddened at the deaths. “My thoughts at this time are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and those who have been injured,” he said. “I have asked to be kept informed on this shocking event throughout the day.”

The archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, said the incident was heartbreaking for all in the Traveller and wider local community, and asked for prayers to be said for the dead and injured and their families.

Alan Kelly, the environment minister, said: “On behalf of the government, I want to extend our prayers and deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased and their extended community.”

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said: “This is an extremely shocking incident and I want to express my deepest sympathy to the families affected by this tragedy.”

Sinn Féin’s president, Gerry Adams, said it was “horrific news to wake to on a Saturday morning”.

Alex White, the minister for communications, energy and natural resources and TD for Dublin Rathdown, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are currently battling with their injuries, and the families and friends of all those who died.”