FAMILY’S LUCKY ESCAPE AFTER ARSON ATTACK
A PREGNANT WOMAN AND A FOUR YEAR OLD CHILD AMONG THOSE WHO ESCAPED FROM ARSON ATTACK
A pregnant woman and a man had to jump from an upstairs window of the house while a four year old girl was rescued through another upstairs window by a neighbour. Two other people managed to escape from a downstairs room before the house was gutted by fire.
Gardaí investigating the attack have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information to come forward.
They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the areas of Clontygara Court and Hoey’s Lane between 3am and 4am on Sunday to make this footage available to Gardaí by contactingt Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
THERE has been widespread condemnation of the arson attack on a house at Clontygora Court in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Savannah Jocye, who is seven months pregnant, and her husband Barney had to jump from an upstairs window of the house, while their four year old daughter Tennesse was brought to safety by a neighbour after her desperate parents passed her out through an upstairs window. Grandparents Martin and Winnie Joyce managed to escape from the ground floor as flames blazed through the house. All five were taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital while Tennesse was transferred to Crumlin’s Children Hospital.
Neighbours alerted the emergency services after hearing a loud bang around 3.35am on Sunday morning and gardai have confirmed that it is believed a petrol bomb was thrown at the house, which has been the subject to several attacks as part of an on-going feud between families.
Two fire tenders from Dundalk Fire Service attended at the fire, with the house being well ablaze by the time they arrived at the scene.
Local TD, Ruairi Ó Murchú has condemned the incident describing it as ‘an appalling attack on a family home where there was a child sleeping.’
‘We are lucky we are not dealing with coffins as this was an attack with lethal intent.’
‘ This is the latest in a long line of attacks on this house and we understand that the origin of this may be linked to a drugs debt,’ he continued, noting that the house ‘ has been the subject of attempted arson attacks in the recent past’.
He said that both himself and Sinn Fein Cllr Kevin Meenan have met with residents in the area over the last number of months. ‘I have spoken to Gardaí about the ongoing issues here and Cllr. Meenan has been in touch with the council and with Clúid Housing Association about the intimidation and violence that is being visited upon residents.’
‘We repeat our calls for those involved in this senseless criminality to stop. It is understood that numerous threats have been traded, using social media.’
He pledged that they would redouble their efforts to find a resolution to the feud. ‘Nobody should have to live under the threat of violence and to have an attack like this happen, where people’s lives were put at serious risk, is completely reprehensible.’
Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd, also strongly condemned the suspected arson attack, saying ‘ The lives of this family were put at serious risk by what can only be described as a mindless and evil act. Looking at the extensive fire damage in the home, it is a miracle that no one lost their life in the incident.’
The extensively damaged house was preserved by gardai for a technical examination, who stated that ‘ a full investigation is underway.’
As part of the investigation, Gardaí at Dundalk are appealing for any witnesses to this incident or anyone with information to come forward. They are also appealing for any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the areas of Clontygara Court and Hoey’s Lane between 3am and 4am to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station