A Ballyfermot family has described the horrifying moment they awoke to their home engulfed in flames after a petrol bomb was thrown through their living room window in the early hours of last week.
Breda and Pat Curran, along with their son Luke, were asleep in their home when the attack occurred. All three were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Tragically, the family’s dog died in the blaze.
Gardaí believe the firebombing was a case of mistaken identity and that the Curran family were not the intended targets.
Speaking about the terrifying incident, Breda Curran said she had gone to bed at around 10:30pm, while her husband had fallen asleep on the sofa downstairs. Just before 2:30am, she was jolted awake by the sound of her husband’s screams and breaking glass.
“I heard Luke screaming and running down the stairs saying, ‘me Da, me Da’,” she recalled. “As I came down, I could feel the heat coming up the stairs. It wasn’t normal heat—I knew something was wrong.”
Pat Curran described waking up to a wall of flames. “It was like waking up in hell,” he said. “I had a blanket on me and threw it on the fire, trying to stamp it out. I don’t know how I didn’t go on fire. All I could do was scream for Breda.”
The couple and their son managed to escape the burning house, but their dog remained inside. The family tried desperately to re-enter the house with a garden hose, calling out for the dog, but the heat was overwhelming.
“I went as far as the hallway to the sitting room door, but the fire was everywhere,” said Ms Curran. “We heard him whimpering. Then it went silent. We stood on the road, just watching our home burn.”
Though the family survived, the psychological scars remain. Ms Curran said she loves her home but is uncertain whether she can return, citing fears for their safety.
Despite their trauma, the Currans expressed deep gratitude to their neighbours and the local Ballyfermot community. “The support has been incredible,” said Ms Curran. “Neighbours came over to help us clean up and even gave us money. People on the street we didn’t know offered help.”
Mr Curran added, “The community spirit in Ballyfermot is rarely spoken about, but the compassion and goodwill we’ve received are beyond words. It’s what’s keeping us going.”
Gardaí continue to investigate the attack.
