The explosion, which occurred in a fire on a nearby field, sent shrapnel flying, hitting Ruby directly in her right eye.
A young girl’s life has been forever changed after a freak accident left her blind in one eye.
Seven-year-old Ruby Grainger, from Fortunestown in Tallaght, was struck by debris from an explosion while returning from an ice cream van near her home on Saturday, October 5th.
The explosion, which occurred in a fire on a nearby field, sent shrapnel flying, hitting Ruby directly in her right eye.
Kfm understands that the explosion was caused by a vape discarded in the fire.
She was rushed by ambulance to Tallaght Hospital, where doctors determined that the damage was severe.
Ruby was transferred to the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital for emergency surgery.
Despite their efforts, the medical team said Ruby’s eye could not be saved.
Now blind in her right eye, Ruby’s life has been upended.
Her mother, Ciara Grainger, spoke out about the trauma her daughter is facing.
“Ruby is devastated...she is very self conscious because of kids her age bullying her."
Ruby’s journey ahead will be a challenging one.
She will need a prosthetic eye, and doctors have warned that she will never regain sight in her right eye.
The loss has also impacted Ruby’s physical abilities, forcing her to relearn how to balance.