Ten children and one adult hospitalised after ‘excess chlorine incident’ at Dublin pool

Dublin Fire Brigade has given an update on an "excess chlorine incident" at a swimming pool in the Clayton Hotel in Liffey Valley. The incident occurred at approximately 3:35 p.m. on Thursday. Emergency services were notified after an excess chlorine incident occurred within the swimming pool. According to the Dalata Hotel Group, which owns the Clayton Hotel, 23 individuals who were using the pool at the time were medically assessed. Of these, 10 children and one adult were taken to hospital for medical attention. The hotel has since closed the pool in accordance with its safety and emergency procedures. Greg O’Dwyer, chief officer with the Dublin Fire Brigade, spoke on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, stating that several children suffered from respiratory distress and irritation following the incident. Personnel isolated the chemical, and the hotel provided rooms where the children could be showered. Paramedics treated the children, a doctor assessed them, and 12 were transported to hospital, with some parents accompanying them in ambulances. A decontamination center was set up outside to decontaminate first responders. O’Dwyer noted that while high concentrations of such chemicals could be dangerous, the levels encountered during the incident were not. He stated that the situation was made "very safe, very quickly" and that the area was ventilated using fans. The Dalata Hotel Group confirmed that a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident would take place as soon as possible. They expressed their thoughts with those impacted and their families and emphasized their commitment to supporting them and the emergency services. The group declined to comment further out of respect for those affected and their relatives. Gardaí confirmed they are assisting with the incident. A spokesperson for Dublin City Council said that Dublin Fire Brigade units from several fire stations, including Tallaght, Dolphin’s Barn, Donnybrook, and Dún Laoghaire, attended the scene. An emergency ambulance from Dún Laoghaire fire station, ambulances from the National Ambulance Service, and a Dublin Fire Brigade advanced paramedic unit also arrived. Firefighters and paramedics in breathing apparatus and chemical protection suits isolated the hazardous substance and assessed patients. Specialist Hazmat appliances from Donnybrook and Dún Laoghaire fire stations were present and set up a decontamination zone. There is no danger to the wider public, according to the council, which requested the assistance of gardaí and the Health and Safety Authority. The Dalata Hotel Group confirmed that the incident happened at around 3:35 p.m. on Thursday and that emergency services were immediately notified. They stated that 23 people in total, who were using the pool at the time of the incident, were medically assessed after complaining of feeling unwell. Ten children and one adult were brought to hospital and are receiving medical attention. The swimming pool has been closed in accordance with the company’s safety and emergency procedures. The group confirmed that their emergency plan was activated immediately and that a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the incident would take place as soon as possible. They expressed their thoughts with those impacted and their families and emphasized their commitment to supporting them and the emergency services. Dublin Fire Brigade was called to the scene at 3:39 p.m. after reports of a "hazardous materials incident" at the pool. Units from Tallaght, Dolphin’s Barn, Donnybrook, and Dún Laoghaire attended along with the National Ambulance Service (NAS) and gardaí. Firefighter/paramedics in breathing apparatus and chemical protection suits isolated the hazardous substance and patients were being assessed by NAS and DFB personnel. There is no danger to the wider public, and the incident is expected to be scaled back shortly. Specialist hazmat appliances from Donnybrook and Dún Laoghaire fire stations are at the scene and have set up a decontamination zone. The Dalata Hotel Group confirmed that "an excess chlorine incident" took place at the pool inside the Clayton Hotel in Liffey Valley. As many as 23 people were medically assessed after complaining of feeling unwell, with 10 children and one adult then hospitalised for assessment. An investigation into the circumstances which led to the incident is underway. The Dublin Fire Brigade set up a decontamination zone at the scene. The Dalata group said that "today at 15:35, 15 October 2026, an excess chlorine incident occurred within the swimming pool at Clayton Hotel Liffey Valley." They confirmed that emergency services were immediately notified and responded to the incident. They stated that 23 people in total, who were using the pool at the time of the incident, were medically assessed having complained of feeling unwell. Ten children and one adult were brought to hospital and are receiving medical attention. The swimming pool has been closed in accordance with the company’s safety and emergency procedures. They confirmed that their emergency plan was activated immediately and that a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding this incident will take place as soon as possible. They expressed their thoughts with those impacted and their families and emphasized their commitment to supporting them and the emergency services. They declined to comment further out of respect for those impacted and their relatives. Gardaí confirmed they supported emergency services at the incident. Ambulances and Garda vehicles were spotted at the scene. People wrapped in towels were being led into the ambulances. A Garda spokesperson said that "Gardaí are assisting with an incident at a business premises in the Liffey Valley area, Dublin 22 this Thursday afternoon 15 October 2026." According to RTÉ News, ten children and one adult were taken to hospital following a chemical leak at a swimming pool in west Dublin. Twenty-three people were at the pool at the Clayton Liffey Valley Hotel for swimming classes when there was an accident involving chlorine and another chemical in the pool's plant room. Toxic fumes entered the pool area, affecting some of the children and parents. Dublin Fire Brigade attended with an ambulance and four units, which included a Hazmat Unit. The area was then evacuated. The National Ambulance Service also attended with a number of ambulances. Some parents travelled with their children in the ambulances with one adult also receiving medical attention. Dublin Fire Brigade has ventilated the affected area with fans and have cleared it of chemical fumes. In a statement, the Clayton Liffey Valley Hotel said that a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding this incident will take place as soon as possible. They expressed their thoughts with those impacted and their families and emphasized their commitment to supporting them and the emergency services.