Pet dog destroyed after killing baby Mia
Cross-breed mauled tot while she slept
THE terrier-type dog that mauled and killed a three month-old baby girl in a horror attack has been destroyed, gardai confirmed yesterday.
Little Mia O’connell was set upon by the cross-breed at her home in the early hours of Monday and suffered serious head injuries in the frenzied attack.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and the infant was brought to Cork University Hospital.
However, despite the best efforts of paramedics she died shortly after 3am.
The tot shared a room with her mum Ella Wood at the home in the village of Clashmore, Co Waterford, and she was asleep in her cot when the dog entered and attacked her.
The pet, who was not owned by the family, had been staying at the house at the time of the attack.
A Garda spokesman said: “A postmortem was administered by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster, the results of which will not be released for operational reasons.
“As a result of the postmortem, An Garda Siochana’s focus is on the preparation of an investigation file for an inquest by the county coroner.
“The animal which was involved in the incident has now been destroyed.”
Gardai said a family liaison officer had been assigned and they continue to support Mia’s loved ones.
The spokesman added: “An Garda Siochana, on behalf of the family, continues to appeal for the privacy of the three-month-old infant girl, and the privacy of the family, to be respected at this time.” Ms Wood, who is in her 20s, is not from Clashmore and is believed to have moved to the area recently from nearby Youghal in Co Cork.
Mia’s father Rhys O’connell, 32, who had recently become engaged to Mia’s mum, was not at home at the time.
No funeral arrangements had been publicly announced last night.
One lady told the Irish Mirror: “They hadn’t lived here too long, I think they were from Cork originally.
“It’s just tragic for someone to lose their child in a way like this.”
Another said: “I can’t talk about it. I have young children myself and the thoughts of it alone will give me nightmares.”
Focus is on preparation of file for an inquest by coroner
GARDA SPOKESMAN YESTERDAY