Updated 5:30pm
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has said that flags across the country will fly at half-mast on the days of the funerals of Saturday morning’s Carrickmines fire.
Speaking on RTE One’s The Week In Politics Kenny said the fire was an “unspeakable tragedy”.
“I’ve asked that the state would reflect its sympathy and respect by having the flags fly at half mast on the days of the funerals, in much the same way as was done for the young people who lost their lives in Berkeley, California,” said Kenny who this afternoon visited the scene of the tragedy.
Our sympathies go to all of the families who have been bereaved.
Prayers for the victims of the fire were offered at masses around the country this morning, while a steady stream of mourners have been leaving floral bouquets at the halting site throughout the day.
Books of condolence have been opened for the ten people who died tragically in a fire at a halting site in Carrickmines, south Dublin.
The books will be available to sign at Leopardstown Shopping Centre, Centra Stepaside, The Market Belarmine, at Customer Services in Dundrum Shopping Centre, and at Cabinteely Garda Station.
A book will also be opened at the Mansion House tomorrow until Tuesday.
The huge fire broke out at around 4am yesterday morning at the site on Glenamuck Road South.
Ten people – five adults and five children – are so far known to have perished in the flames, while it is understood that two further children and one adult remain in hospital. Their condition is unknown.
The victims have now been named locally as Thomas and Sylvia Connors, their children Jim, Christy and Mary (who was just six-months-old), William Lynch, his partner Tara Gilbert, their children Jody and Kelsey, and William’s brother Jimmy.
Local TD Alex White described the horrific incident as a “dreadful, dreadful tragedy”, while President Higgins offered his condolences to the bereaved.
“My thoughts at this time are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and those who have been injured,” the President said.
Members of the Travelling community leaving cards and flowers said they were devastated at the news.
It is not yet known what caused the tragedy, although it is being reported this morning that gardaí do not believe that arson was a factor.
Chief Superintendent with Dun Laoghaire gardaí Diarmuid O’Sullivan said at the scene that he expects the investigation into the cause of the fire to “take a considerable period of time”.
Originally published 7.42am
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say