Man is arrested over the death of an eight-year-old girl who was stabbed in the neck ‘while trying to protect her mother from an attack’

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating the death of an eight-year-old girl following an attack on her home in County Wexford, Ireland.

Malikika Al Katib died on Monday morning after suffering stab wounds. Police on the scene attempted to provide her with medical aid before paramedics arrived.

She was taken to University Hospital Waterford where she later died. Her mother suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was in hospital last night.

The main suspect in the case is a man who knows the girl and her mother.

The man, who is believed to be from Kuwait, suffered injuries himself. He was also treated in hospital last night and was under armed guard.

He was subsequently released from hospital and is now being held at a police station in the east of Ireland under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The schoolgirl was at home in New Ross with her mother when the incident happened late on Sunday evening.

It is understood she had tried to intervene when her mother was attacked.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday by Irish State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis. The results of this will not be released for operational reasons, Irish police An Garda Siochana said.

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

The police are calling on anyone with information to come forward.

Security sources told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘As far as gardaí are aware at this time, Malika had been staying with her aunt and her cousins ​​for a few days. She didn’t want to go back on Sunday, but her mother said she had to because she had to go to school in the morning.

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

‘Then she got in the queue and was stabbed in the neck. This happened in front of the mother, so you can only imagine what she saw.

‘The man then tried to take his own life, but was unable to do so.’

Officers were on standby at the hospital last night in case there was a threat to his safety.

“Gardaí are also following a clear line of inquiry in relation to this case and are not looking for anyone else in connection with this crime,” the source said.

Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School where the young girl attended, said it was a ‘terrible tragedy’.

She said the school has implemented its critical incident management plan.

“This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community,” she said in a statement.

‘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 have support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).

‘They have been with us all day to support and advise teachers in their efforts to help students during this time.

‘Our teachers are helping students cope with this tragic event.

“Today we are sharing information with parents about how they can support their children during this difficult time.”

Local councilor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail he had spoken directly to relatives 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 spoke to family members who are devastated, as you can imagine.

‘It’s an eight-year-old child who was murdered in this way. It’s just so heartbreaking.

“The news spread like wildfire through the city, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we will do what we can to help them.”

Independent councilor in New Ross Michael Sheehan said the community was devastated by the deaths.

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

“People are very shocked that this has happened in our community,” Mr Sheehan said. “All our thoughts and prayers are with the young girl and her family. We hope that in the coming weeks and months they will receive some comfort from the support of the local community, who will do what they can. It is a terrible tragedy that has befallen 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 stunned that this has happened, especially as everyone goes to put up Christmas trees in what was meant to be a happy time.

“This has really shocked the city and there is a sense of numbness.

‘The girl went to the local Educate Together, a very close-knit school.

“The director and staff there are brilliant and they will have access to all the support they need to navigate the choppy waters ahead.

‘I’m confident they can handle this, but it’s so hard for them as everyone gets ready for Christmas.

“Today is a difficult day and people are asking, ‘How did this happen in our community?’