A four-year-old girl from Limerick who suffered extreme burns in a fire-bomb attack on Sunday died yesterday from her injuries.
Katelyn Ryan had been on a life-support machine at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, in Crumlin, Dublin, since her home in Limerick city was petrol-bombed last Sunday morning.
Last night a family member confirmed that the girl had died late yesterday afternoon with her father, Robert, by her side.
The girl's mother, Ms Jackie Ryan, could not be with her daughter as she is still recovering in Cork University Hospital from serious injuries suffered in the same arson attack.
Ms Ryan's youngest daughter, Leah (1), was also badly injured in the blaze.
She remained in a stable condition at the intensive care unit of Limerick Regional Hospital last night.
"Katelyn's father was with her when she died. He's in a terrible state but his family are with him in Dublin," said Ms Alice Roche, sister of Jackie Ryan.
"It's just a terrible time for all the family. All we can do now is pray. My parents are down in Cork with Jackie but she couldn't go to see Katelyn because she has to have an operation on her back," she added.
Ms Ryan (32) broke a bone in her back when, clutching Leah, she jumped from an upstairs bedroom during the fire.
Six other people - including Mr Robert Ryan, the children's father and husband of Ms Ryan, and five other children - escaped serious injury in the blaze, which gutted the house.
Mr Jim Roche (63), grandfather to Leah and Katelyn, fractured his leg while trying to rescue the family. Despite his injuries he travelled to Cork yesterday with his wife, Nora, to be at their daughter Jackie's bedside.
"Our parents were with her when she was told about little Katelyn but it is very sad that she never got to say goodbye to her daughter," said Ms Roche.
Last night Ms Roche was comforting the other Ryan children - Marissa (7), Mark (12) and Daragh (14) - at their home on Lenihan Avenue while other relatives were at Leah's bedside at Limerick Regional Hospital.
Leah last night remained in the intensive care unit of the hospital although her condition had improved somewhat.
Meanwhile, the Ryan family's local parish priest, Father Damien Ryan, was last night leading prayers for the family.
"Our neighbours and friends have been brilliant. Loads of people have been calling in to see us and the priest has been to visit too," said Ms Roche.