A young girl has died following an assault at a house in New Ross, Co Wexford.
Gardai said they are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of the child. Emergency services attended the scene at approximately 11.45pm on Sunday.
The girl was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment. She passed away from her injuries in the early hours of Monday morning.
A woman and man (30s) are receiving treatment at University Hospital Wexford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The scene remains preserved for forensic examination. The Coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled.
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Key Events
Little girl died while trying to protect her mother
It is believed that little Malikika Al Katib, was allegedly stabbed while trying to prevent a knife attack on her mother, Alisha, late on Sunday night.
A source told the Irish Mirror: “She realised her mum was being attacked and went to try to help her as much as a young child can."
Full story here.
Child's mother also stabbed
Sources have confirmed the woman in New Ross, the child’s mother, was also stabbed. But neither she nor the man are in danger of dying.
School statement
New Ross Educate Together National School, where the murdered child was a student, has just issued a statement on her death.
Principal Therese White said: "We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends.
"The school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time.
"Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time.
"We would ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time."
Local councillor had met woman injured in incident
Local councillor Michael Sheehan told The Irish Mirror this afternoon that he had normal dealings with the woman who was injured in the incident.
He said the community in central New Ross was horrified by the child’s death.
"Everyone is just numbed by what has happened," he said.
"If it happens to one of us in New Ross, it happens to all of us.
"We all woke up to this terrible news this morning and we could not believe it.
"The area where it happened is very tight knit. The whole community is absolutely shocked."
Mr Sheehan said he knew the woman who was injured in the incident and had previous dealings with her.
He said: "It was just standard run of the mill constituency work – there were no problems at all.
"She always seemed in good spirits - she was just doing her best like everyone else."
Forensics teams arrive
Stab wound confirmed
Sources have confirmed to The Irish Mirror that the child died after being stabbed. It’s understood the eight year-old suffered at least one stab wound in the incident, which happened in the centre of New Ross just before midnight.
She was treated at the scene before being rushed to University Hospital Waterford, where she lost her fight for life early this morning.
An adult male and female were also found injured at the scene and they are still being treated in hospital.
The scene in New Ross
Community in shock
Local independent councillor John Dwyer told The Irish Mirror that the community was shocked by the eight-year-old girl’s death.
He said: "New Ross is a tight-knit community. Everybody knows everyone else. I had lots of people on to me this morning asking me if I knew what happened, but there are not many details out yet and everybody is really shocked.
"This sort of thing just does not happen in a town like New Ross."
It’s understood the man who was injured is a foreign national. Locals said the woman who is being treated for her injuries is a native of Ireland.
The scene is still sealed off and detectives from the Garda Technical Bureau are examining the area.
Child was eight years old
It's understood that the child was only eight years old, born in 2016.
The man is aged 34 and the woman is 31.
First pictures of the tragic scene
Full statement from Gardai
Gardaí are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a girl following a fatal assault at a domestic residence in New Ross, Co.Wexford on Sunday, 1st December, 2024.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene at approximately 11.45pm.
The girl was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment. She passed away from her injuries in the early hours of this morning.
A woman and man (30s) are receiving treatment at University Hospital Wexford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
The scene remains preserved for forensic examination. The Coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled.
A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at New Ross Garda Station.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this incident to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station.
