Family, friends mourn baby's death as mother recovers

Tearful teenagers were among the family friends calling on the Smullen household in Allen View Heights, a tidy, quiet estate in Newbridge, Co Kildare, yesterday.

Though Margaret and Sean Smullen were with their daughter, Sinead (18), in St James's Hospital, their younger daughter, Joanne (15), described the family's shock that Sinead's three-month-old daughter had been stabbed to death. "The gardai called to the house this morning at 4 o'clock and told us Leilah was dead. It's unbelievable. She was only up here yesterday. Sinead dropped her off while she went out shopping. Little Leilah was here for a couple of hours, all smiles," she said.

Leilah Hickey was found dead by Newbridge gardai shortly after 3 a.m. yesterday at Penrose Apartments, a small block off Main Street. Supt John Fleming, who is leading the investigation, said gardai had been alerted by an emergency call some time before 3 a.m.

A man had found Ms Sinead Smullen walking in Main Street with several stab wounds to her neck and back, Supt Fleming said.

She was examined by a GP at Newbridge Garda station and taken to Naas General hospital, before being transferred to St James's Hospital in Dublin for surgery. She was described as "comfortable".

Gardai inspecting the flat at Penrose Apartments found Leilah's body and a man, whom they arrested.

Yesterday morning saw the scene sealed off for forensic experts. The Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, examined the body.

Just before noon a tiny white coffin left in a hearse. The body was taken to Tallaght hospital for a post-mortem.

Though most of the shops nearby were closed, one woman, who preferred not to be named, was working in the Chicken America takeaway when Ms Smullen was seen staggering across the road. "She was grabbing her neck and couldn't walk properly. Some fellah who was waiting for a taxi in there," she said pointing to Keogh's Mini-cabs two doors down, "ran out and he called the guards. Then they came up here and he [the man in the apartment] was taken away in handcuffs." Supt Fleming said his reaction was one of "shock and revulsion". Ms Fiona O'Loughlin, a member of Kildare County Council and a teacher, taught each of the Smullen daughters.

She described the death as "absolutely shocking" and a "terrible blow" and spoke of the Smullens as "a lovely, lovely family".

Sinead has two sisters, one younger and one older, as well as an older brother.