A two-year-old girl and her father were found stabbed to death at the child's home in Callan, Co Kilkenny, last evening.
The child's mother, who also suffered stab wounds at the scene, was rushed to St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, shortly after 5 p.m.
Last night the scene at Main Street, Callan, was being preserved for technical examination and garda∅ were awaiting the arrival of the State pathologist, Dr John Harbison, to carry out a preliminary examination on the bodies.
A Garda spokeswoman said garda∅ were alerted to the tragedy by a passing neighbour at around 5 p.m.
"On arrival they found the body of a two-year-old girl outside the house on a pavement," the spokeswoman said.
"On going inside they found a man fatally wounded. He's believed to be in his 30s."
She said the child's mother was also found in the house suffering from stab wounds. She was believed to be in her 20s and was named locally as Ms Lorraine Leahy, the daughter of local postman Mr Murt Leahy. Her daughter who died was named as Robyn Leahy and the child's father was named as Mr George McGloin.
Local people were in a state of shock as the tragedy unfolded. One woman said Ms Leahy had grown up in the town and was a single mother. She worked in The Steps public house in Callan and ran towards the pub covered in blood to seek help.
The woman said the child's father was believed to be a native of Canada but lived in Dublin and was visiting the woman and their child for the weekend.
"It's just a massive shock. It's a big tragedy. It's unbelievable in such a small town," she said.
Parish priest Father William Dalton said everybody was "totally stunned and distressed".
He added: "A terrible tragedy has taken place. There is a child of two and a non-national dead."
He said he was only about two months in the area and didn't know the people involved. He was just 100 yards away when the garda∅ called him to pray over the deceased. He was joined by the local curate, Father Mark Condon. Prayers for those involved were also said at 7 p.m. Mass at the local Church of the Assumption.
"People are totally numbed and devastated," Father Dalton said.
"They can't find words to express how they feel. It's not anything that anybody would will or wish on any community. Unfortunately these type of tragedies where young children are involved are becoming all too familiar in our society," he said.
A spokeswoman at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, last night described the condition of the injured woman as stable.