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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Amy Donohoe

Gardai investigate multiple fires started at new Children's Hospital site in Dublin

Gardai are investigating multiple alleged fires that were deliberately started at the new Children's Hospital site in Dublin.

Multiple fires were set at the St James' Hospital site in recent weeks.

A garda spokesman said: “Gardai are investigating a number of alleged criminal damage incidents that have occurred at the new Children’s Hospital site in Dublin.

“Investigations are ongoing.

“No further information is available at this time.”

The estimated cost is now at least €1.7bn, but the Government has said it still does not have a definitive figure.

More than 600 windows have already been installed, and the concrete frame was completed in March and work on internal rooms starts next month.

The fitting out of 380 single rooms, 42 critical-care beds, a 93-bed day unit, and 18 operating theatres could take nine months during 2024.

About 2,500 staff from Tallaght, Temple St, and Crumlin hospitals will work at the new hospital.

Children will particularly benefit from four acres of gardens, with a separate space for immuno-compromised children.

A separate accommodation area also offers 53 beds for families, while sofa beds are available in patient rooms.

Inside a 250m corridor connects the operating theatres, including a hybrid-theatre for neurosurgery linked to an MRI suite.

The underground car park is reserved almost exclusively for families, with more at the emergency department entrance.

A helicopter pad is also nearing completion.

But the hospital, which is expected to open in 2024, has been subject to many delays during its construction.

And the series of arson attacks at the site are being investigated by gardai.

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