Girl, eight, is stabbed in the neck and killed while trying to protect her mother after a fight in their home erupts into the street

An eight-year-old girl has died after she was allegedly stabbed in the neck while trying to protect her mother from an attack 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 ‘stunned’.

She was injured on Sunday evening around 11:45 pm. Gardaí at the scene attempted to provide her with medical assistance before ambulance crews arrived.

She was then taken to hospital in 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 originally from Kuwait, suffered injuries himself. He was also treated in hospital last night and was under armed guard.

Security sources have told the Mail that an altercation took place at the house on Lower William Street around midnight and spread to the street itself.

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.”

Security sources said of the attack: ‘As far as gardaí know at this stage, 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 unsuccessful. He is currently being treated for his injuries but there are armed gardaí at the hospital.” Gardaí were kept on standby at the hospital last night in case there was a threat to his safety.

“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 clear line of inquiry in relation to this matter and are not seeking anyone else in connection with 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 that a student from our school has passed away,” 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 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 help students cope with this tragic event.

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

The coroner has been informed and the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist have been asked to assist with the investigation.

Gardaí said a post-mortem examination will be planned.

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

Police investigating the incident are calling on anyone with 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 vehicles remained at the scene throughout Monday.

People living in the residential area were shocked by the tragic incident. Local independent councilor Michael Sheehan said the community was devastated by the deaths.

Mr Sheehan, who sits on the governors of the school 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 wondering, how could this happen in our community?”

Gardaí have continued to appeal to the public for information. A spokesperson said: ‘Investigating gardaí are appealing for anyone with any information about this incident to come forward.’