Arson attack on Clondalkin home
By Maurice Garvey
A FAMILY were forced to escape their home after a late-night arson attack saw their front porch and car go up in flames.
The family’s car was broken into, pushed up against their front door, and set on fire at approximately 3am on Friday morning (July 20).
The terrified parents and their children, including a baby, managed to get to safety over a back wall to a neighbour’s home.
Shocked residents rushed to the corner house on Grange View Road in Clondalkin, in an effort to provide assistance.
Nobody is understood to have been seriously injured, but emergency services treated people at the scene.
The Echo understands the parents are of African origin, and were living in the home for approximately 14 years.
On Wednesday, July 25, the front door of the house was boarded up. Charred remains of debris and glass was still scattered across the driveway, and the front windows were cracked.
Locals were unsure if the family remain in the home, one neighbour said they have “nowhere to go.”
Nobody answered when The Echo called to the home.
“No doubt about it, whoever did this tried to kill them,” said one resident.
“Brazen too, considering this estate is a cul-de-sac and the car they used has to come in and out one way. It was a seven-seater Opel car that was set on fire.
“The family mostly keep to themselves.”
Another resident said they are a big family “about six kids, from baby to 17-year-old.”
Saw a big flame down the road
“God love them. Some of the kids had no clothes on when they were outside on the road. It was really shocking. I woke up and saw a big flame down the road. Fair play to the fire brigade, they were here within eight minutes.”
Another resident said the family were seen moving travel bags out of the home over the last few days. “The mother said they were moving out anyway,” she said.
“The landlord boarded up the front door the next morning, but it still looks terrible.”
A garda source said investigations were ongoing.
There are no suspects, but gardai are looking at CCTV in the area as part of their investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Clondalkin Garda station at 666 7600.
