Four Bodies Found In Limerick

The bodies of four people, including that of a three-year-old boy and a five-month-old baby girl, were found in Limerick yesterday.

Gardaí are investigating the deaths after the four victims were discovered at the house in Newcastle West, Co Limerick yesterday afternoon. It is believed they had all been stabbed.

A 31-year-old man was arrested while drinking in a pub in Kilkee, Co Clare, late yesterday afternoon following a widespread search by gardaí in counties Limerick and Clare.

He is being held at Limerick's Henry Street Garda Station, where he is being questioned on suspicion of murder. It is believed he knew the victims.

The bodies of two women aged 21 and 25, and two young children, a three-year-old boy and a five-month-old baby girl, will be taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for post mortem examinations.

The victims have been identified as three-year-old Reece, Amy, who is five months, their 25-year-old mother Sarah Hines and another woman, Alicia Brough who is 20.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy is due to visit the scene at a house in Hazel Grove this morning. Dr Cassidy spent much of yesterday in Ballycotton, Co Cork, where a father and two young children also died in shocking and tragic circumstance.

Chief Supt David Sheahan described the incident as the worst crime to take place locally in recent history: "Something like this happening in Newcastle West is unreal," he said. "This has been a very traumatic incident, not only for the people in Newcastle West, but for the family members of the deceased people involved in this investigation. I want to offer our sympathies to those people and to make sure that we're thinking of them in our prayers."

Chief Supt Sheahan said that the bodies of the two women were found in a downstairs room, while the bodies of the two children were found in an upstairs bedroom.

Gardaí are appealing for information, particularly from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at or near the house in the past two days.

They can be contacted at Newcastle West Garda Station on 069-20650 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111.

(DW/GK)