Schoolgirl, eight, 'stabbed to death' at home in Ireland

An eight-year-old girl has died after she was reportedly stabbed in the neck as she tried to protect her mother from an assault in her own home in Ireland.

Malika Al Katib died yesterday from injuries she sustained at a house in New Ross, Co. Wexford, leaving her family 'inconsolable' and the community 'numbed'.

She suffered the injuries at around 11.45pm on Sunday night. Gardaí on the scene sought to give her medical attention before the paramedics arrived.

She was then brought to hospital in Waterford where she later died. Her mother received non life-threatening injuries and was last night in hospital.

The chief suspect in the case is a man known to the girl and her mother.

The man, who is understood to originally be from Kuwait, suffered self-inflicted injuries. He was also being treated in hospital last night and was under armed guard.

Security sources have told the Mail that an altercation happened at the house on Lower William Street close to midnight and that it spilled out on to the street itself. 

Local councillor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken directly with family members of the girl and that they were 'inconsolable with grief'.

He said: 'The whole community is numbed by this. It's an absolute tragedy. I was speaking with family members who are just devastated, as you can imagine.

'It's an eight-year-old child killed like this. It's just so heartbreaking.

'The news went around the town like wildfire, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we'll do what we can to help them.'

Security sources said of the attack: 'From what gardaí know at this stage, Malika had been staying with her aunt and her cousins for a couple of days. She didn't want to go back on Sunday but her mother said she had to as she had school in the morning.

'Gardaí know there was an altercation between a man and a woman and that the child tried to intervene at some point to help her mother.

'She then got caught up in the row 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 was unsuccessful. At this stage, he is being treated for his injuries but there are armed gardaí at the hospital.' Gardaí were being kept on standby at the hospital last night in case there was any threat to his security.

'Gardaí will wait until the man is fit to be interviewed but they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident,' the source said. 

'Gardaí are also following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the matter and are not looking for anyone else in relation to this crime.'

Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, where the young girl was a pupil, said her death is 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.'

The coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation.

Gardaí said a post mortem examination will be scheduled.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed to lead the inquiry and an incident room has been set up at New Ross Garda station.

Officers investigating the incident are appealing to anyone who may have any information to come forward.

They are asked to contact New Ross Garda station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111, or any Garda station. A number of Garda cars remained at the scene throughout Monday.

People living in the residential area expressed shock at the tragic incident. Local Independent councillor Michael Sheehan said the community has been devastated by the death.

Mr Sheehan, who sits on the board of the school the young girl attended, said the wider community will rally to support her family.

'People are very shocked that this has happened in our community,' Mr Sheehan 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.

'The girl attended the local Educate Together, which is a very close-knit school.

'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?'

Gardaí have continued to appeal to the public for information. A spokesman said: 'Investigating gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this incident to come forward.'