Two young children are in a serious condition in hospital today following a suspected petrol bomb attack on a parked car in Limerick.
Gardai in Limerick
The four-year-old boy and six-year-old girl are understood to have been in the back of parked car at Pineview Gardens, Moyross, when the fire started shortly before 2pm yesterday.
According to locals, a petrol bomb was thrown into the back of the car after the children's mother, who was calling to a house in the area, had refused to give a man a lift.
The children were both taken to Limerick Regional Hospital and later transferred to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin. They are both in critical condition.
The young girl is understood to have suffered severe burns to her head and upper body. The boy is understood to have lost an ear as well as suffering burns to his upper body.
A spokesman for the hospital said the young boy was on his way to the hospital this afternoon and that the condition of both children is "critical".
A Garda spokeswoman said a detailed forensic examination of the car is being carried out.
Gardaí in Limerick
A local Garda source could not confirm reports of a petrol bomb attack on the car but asked anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward in confidence to the Garda.
He said local gardaí and emergency services were "frankly, appalled" at the events.
"We would appeal to the decency of the people who may know or who may have information to help bring our investigation to an early conclusion.
"It doesn't matter how trivial they think it may be. We are appalled at this and every resource will be put into investigating the incident. But we need people's co-operation," he said.
We especially appeal to anyone in the vicinity of Pineview Estate or neighbouring estates to come forward, with any information no matter how small it might seem, even if they saw somebody going or coming from an area which they might find unusual.
"We also appeal to taxi drivers or drivers of public service vehicles who might have any information to report it."
"We would appeal to their decency, to come forward in complete confidence to the gardaí at Mayorstone at 061-456980 or any local Garda station," he added.