Three of the first set of sextuplets to be born in Ireland remain on a ventilator as prayers for their improving health continued.

All six babies remain in the neo-natal intensive care unit at Belfast’s Royal Maternity Hospital after being born 14 weeks prematurely last Friday.

It is understood that only the parents, Nuala and Austin Conway, have been allowed to visit the babies so far because of the risk of infection.

However, they have been in daily contact with their families back in Co Tyrone, and relatives have been able to see pictures of the tiny tots.

The four girls have been named Shannon, Kerrie, Karla and Ursula. Meanwhile the two boys, who are understood to be identical twins, have been named Austin, after Mr Conway and his father, and Eoghan.

The hospital said that Ursula was the first to be born, followed by Austin, Shannon, Karla, Eoghan, and then Kerrie.

So far the parents have refused all requests for interviews and pictures. Their families have also been reluctant to speak to the media until all the babies are out of danger.

But PR guru Max Clifford has said that, when they do break their silence, the Conway family can expect to receive at least £250,000 for the first exclusive pictures of the babies, along with lucrative endorsements from baby-care companies.