Though Halloween is still weeks away, Fortunestown in Tallaght is already filled with bonfires across the housing estate. On October 5, seven-year-old Ruby Grainger’s life changed forever when she suffered a traumatic injury while walking past one of these fires. Returning from an ice-cream van visit, Ruby was struck by battery acid when a discarded vape exploded on a bonfire, severely damaging her right eye.
Following emergency treatment and surgery at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, doctors determined the cause was an exploding vape. Ruby’s mother, Ciara, has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her daughter’s recovery, which involves a significant adjustment period. Ruby had to undergo surgery to remove her eye and will need a prosthetic, which doctors estimate will take at least six weeks before she can be fitted.
Ciara expressed the emotional toll this has taken on her daughter: “It was very devastating for Ruby as she is very self-conscious because of kids her age bullying her.” Ciara shared that this life-altering event is not only physically challenging but has also taken a significant emotional toll on Ruby, who now faces a future very different from what they imagined. “I would never ever wish this to happen to any other child or for another family to go through,” she said. The mother-of-four added that Ruby’s young age makes the adjustment to a prosthetic eye even harder.
Compounding their difficulties, Ruby may need to transfer to a school specifically for visually impaired children, separating her from her friends. Ciara, who has lived in the Fortunestown estate for six years, voiced her frustration with the area. She told the Irish Mirror about the difficulties her family faces, noting that their time there has been marked by ongoing disturbances. “The estate is a joke. It’s teenagers, 16, 15, 14, causing havoc, they might not even be from this estate but they hang around in this estate. It’s constant around here, I don’t want to live here anymore, my kids don’t want to go out to play anymore,” she stated.
With Halloween approaching, Ciara is urging the local council to prioritize her family for an emergency transfer, fearing further incidents in the volatile environment. For those wishing to support Ruby’s recovery and assist the family with medical expenses, donations can be made through Ciara’s GoFundMe campaign.