Woman was sprayed with a substance and set on fire after answering door at house in Dublin

A man was also taken to hospital with injuries after the incident

The woman was set alight when she answered the door of the property in Clondalkin. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins
The woman was set alight when she answered the door of the property in Clondalkin. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins

A woman has suffered serious burns after she was sprayed with an accelerant and set alight at a property in Dublin.

The woman’s face was badly burned in the attack, it is understood. A man was also taken to hospital with injuries he suffered during the incident.

The woman answered the door to a caller at the property in the Oak Downs area of Clondalkin, Dublin 22, just after 10am on Tuesday.

As she opened the door, a substance, possibly petrol, was sprayed at her and she was set on fire.

Gardaí are trying to determine how the attacker travelled to the scene, though it is suspected he was on a motorbike.

Although the investigation into the attack is still in its early stages, gardaí believe significant planning was involved and it appeared to be targeted.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said he was “shocked by this morning’s horrific attack on a woman in Clondalkin”.

“I have been briefed on the attack by the gardaí, and I join with them in appealing to anyone with information to come forward so that the perpetrator of this vicious attack can be brought to justice,” he said in a statement.

Garda Headquarters confirmed the woman was “removed from the scene to hospital to be treated for burn injuries, which are believed to be serious”.

It also said a man was being “treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening”.

The Garda statement also said: “The scene has been preserved for technical examination. A senior investigating officer has been appointed and an incident room has been established in Clondalkin Garda station.”

Anyone who was in the Oak Downs area of Clondalkin between 9.30am and 10.20am on Tuesday and who may have video footage, including from a dashcam, is asked to contact gardaí.

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Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times