An eight-year-old girl who died after she was stabbed in her home had attempted to intervene in a row between two adults.
Malika Al Katib is understood to have been awoken by a “commotion” at her home New Ross, Co Wexford.
She attempted to intervene to protect a woman who was in a dispute with a man. The schoolgirl received a stab wound in the altercation.
Gardaí and emergency services were called to the property in the William Street area at around 11.45pm on Sunday.
A chief suspect in the case has been identified as the male. He is a 34-year-old man who was being treated at Wexford General Hospital last night for suspected self-inflicted stab wounds which are described as non-life threatening.
Gardaí believe he stabbed the 31-year-old woman. She is also being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The case is being treated as a murder investigation and gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry in the case.
The scene remained preserved for forensic examination yesterday.
Gardaí said a post-mortem examination would be scheduled.
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Residents in the area have expressed shock at the tragic incident.
Michael Sheehan, independent councillor in New Ross, said the community had been left devastated by the death.
“People are very shocked that this has happened in our community,” he said.
“All of our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family.
“We hope that they will get some comfort over the coming weeks and months from the support from the local community, who will do whatever they can.
“It’s an awful tragedy that has befallen our community.
“William Street is a tight-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do everything they can.
“People are so aghast this has happened, particularly as everyone will be putting up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time.
“This has really shocked the town and there is a feeling of numbness.”
Mr Sheehan sits on the board of the school which the young girl attended.
“The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school,” he said.
“The principal and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead.
“I’ve every faith they can handle this, but it is so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas.
“Today is a difficult day and people are asking how could this happen in our community.”
Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, which the girl attended, said it was a “terrible tragedy”.
“We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school,” she said in a statement.
“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.”
Local resident Pat Rossiter said: “I couldn’t believe it that something like that should happen in this town.
“Obviously hearing the breaking news, the details were very vague, but then my wife said she saw the lights of the emergency services passing by the house around 11.45 pm last night.
“It’s shocking to have lost a young life in our town. It’s incredible.
“I’m looking at the scene right now and it’s something you see on television.
“You’d never imagine for a second of a situation like this being in your own hometown, and here it is.
“It’s just devastating and it’s a terrible, terrible loss.”