Twelve children have been admitted to Dublin hospitals with injuries sustained as a result of playing with fireworks. One of the children had parts of two fingers blown off and will be left "severely functionally impaired for the rest of his life", consultant plastic surgeon Dr Patricia Eadie said.
The child was hospitalised for five days, underwent two operations and may require further surgery, she said.
Dr Eadie was speaking at a press conference convened by the Garda∅ to warn parents about the hazards of fireworks in advance of Hallowe'en night.
Dr Eadie, who is attached to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, and St James's Hospital, said the problem seemed much worse this year.
Insp Ray McHugh of the Garda Press Office said Garda∅ were clamping down on those selling fireworks.
"We have made seizures every day in the last number of days including today," he said. The biggest seizure so far this year was a £50,000 haul in Chapelizod six days ago.
Insp McHugh emphasised fireworks were illegal, highly dangerous and could result in serious injury. "Anybody who we catch with them will face the full rigours of the law," he said. He said the Garda had powers to seize fireworks under the Explosives Acts of 1875 and 1883 and under the Act anybody who was in possession of an explosive substance (including fireworks) could, on conviction, be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison.