A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of an eight-year-old girl following an attack at her home in County Wexford, Ireland.
Malikika Al Katib died after suffering stab wounds in the early hours of Monday morning. Police at the scene attempted to provide him with medical attention before paramedics arrived.
She was taken to Waterford University Hospital, where she later died. His mother suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was in the hospital last night.
The main suspect in the case is a man known to the girl and her mother.
The man, believed to be from Kuwait, suffered self-inflicted injuries. He was also treated last night at the hospital and was under armed guard.
He was later discharged from hospital and is now detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a police station in the east of Ireland.
The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident occurred on Sunday night.
It is understood he had tried to intervene when his mother was attacked.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of an eight-year-old girl at her home in County Wexford (pictured).
Police at the scene in New Ross, Wexford, after a girl died following a home invasion
An autopsy was carried out yesterday by Irish State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis, the results of which will not be made public for operational reasons, according to Irish police An Garda Siochana.
A senior investigating officer was appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room was set up at New Ross Garda Station.
Officers are appealing for anyone who may have any information to come forward.
Security sources told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘From what Gardaí know at this point, Malika had been staying with her aunt and cousins for a couple of days. He didn’t want to come back on Sunday, but his mother said he had to because he had school in the morning.
‘Gardaí are aware that there was an altercation between a man and a woman and that the girl attempted to intervene at some point to help her mother.
She then got caught in line and was stabbed in the neck. This happened in front of the mother, so you can only imagine what she witnessed.
“The man then tried to end his life, but he did not succeed.”
Last night officers were waiting at the hospital in case there was any threat to his safety.
“Gardaí are also following a defined line of inquiry in relation to the matter and are not looking for anyone else in relation to this crime,” the source said.
Therese White, headteacher at Educate Together National School in New Ross, where the girl attended, said it was a “terrible tragedy”.
He said the school has implemented its critical incident management plan.
“This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community,” he said in a statement.
An eight-year-old schoolgirl has died after being ‘stabbed’ in a house in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland.
Forensic teams have been to the scene where Malikika and her mother were allegedly attacked.
Gardaí have cordoned off the New Ross area as detectives investigate
‘We are deeply saddened by these events. Our condolences and thoughts are with family and friends.
‘The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are supported by the National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS).
‘They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to help students at this time.
‘Our teachers are helping students cope with this tragic event.
“Today we will share information with parents about how they can support their children during this difficult time.”
Local councilor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken directly to relatives of the girl. and that they were “inconsolable with pain.”
He said: ‘The whole community is paralyzed by this. It is an absolute tragedy. I’ve been talking to family members who are just devastated, as you can imagine.
‘It’s an eight-year-old boy murdered like that. It’s so heartbreaking.
‘The news spread through the city like wildfire, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we will do everything we can to help them.’
Independent New Ross councilor Michael Sheehan said the community has been devastated by the death.
Sheehan, who is on the board of directors of the school the girl attended, said the broader community will come together to support her family.
“People are very surprised that this has happened in our community,” Mr Sheehan said. ‘All our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman and her family. We hope that over the coming weeks and months they will receive some comfort from the support of the local community who will do all they can. It is a terrible tragedy that has struck our community.
‘William Street is a close-knit community with a strong sense of solidarity, so they will help and do whatever they can.
“People are so horrified by what has happened, especially because everyone will be putting up Christmas trees at what was supposed to be a happy time.”
‘This has shocked the city a lot and there is a feeling of numbness.
‘The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school.
‘The headteacher and staff are brilliant and will have access to all the support they need to navigate the turbulent waters ahead.
“I have every faith that they will be able to handle this, but it is very difficult for them while everyone is preparing for Christmas.”
‘Today is a difficult day and people are wondering: “How could this happen in our community?”‘