‘Stabbed’ Ukrainian girl, 8, and mother critical in hospital

Gardaí probe incident in a refugee property

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Ukrainian refugee is fighting for her life after being injured in a suspected stabbing attack at a property in Co. Clare.

The girl’s mother, 46, was also found unresponsive at the premises at Clareabbey, near Clarecastle, and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Gardaí have launched a major investigation into the incident which they deem suspicious.

It’s reported that the mother and daughter had been living in the property, which has been used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees in recent months.

The primary school child was discovered ‘by a third party individual’ at around 8am yesterday with serious head injuries.

A source said that it is suspected she sustained stab wounds to her neck. She is believed to be eight years old.

The little girl was immediately brought to University Hospital Limerick, with gardaí describing her condition as ‘critical’.

It’s expected she will be transferred to Dublin for specialist treatment.

It was later confirmed that her mother was also found unconscious at the scene.

She was taken to the same hospital, where she was in a critical condition last night.

A source told the Irish Daily Mail that gardaí are investigating if the child was the victim of an assault.

It’s understood that officers are not searching for any suspects in the course of their investigation.

However, detectives are examining ‘all circumstances’ around the incident and say it’s too early to determine exactly what happened.

Following the grim discovery, the other occupants of the property were evacuated and assisted with the aid of a Clare Civil Defence interpreter. They were later transferred to an emergency refugee centre in Ennis.

The investigation is being led by officers at Ennis Garda Station. A liaison officer has also been appointed to assist the family of the mother and daughter.

Gardaí are making door-todoor inquiries and examining CCTV footage in the locality.

A Garda spokesman said: ‘A female child was discovered with serious injuries and was removed to University Hospital Limerick, where she remains in a critical condition.

‘A female adult was also found unconscious at the scene, and was removed to University Hospital Limerick, where she is also in a critical condition.

‘An incident room has been established at Ennis Garda Station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed to oversee the investigation.

‘The scene currently remains preserved and is being examined by Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.’

Ennis TD Cathal Crowe told the Mail that the community is ‘deeply shaken’ by news of the incident news.

‘It’s taken everybody by surprise because it sounds like a shocking act of violence had occurred.

‘It’s particularly concerning that at least one of the victims of this violence was a very young child who is now receiving acute medical attention.

‘I hope the child makes a full recovery and gets to return to a safe home environment very soon,’ he said.

An Garda Síochána is appealing for anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Ennis Garda Station on 065 684 8100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Mother found unresponsive