Mother and child in critical condition in hospital after violent incident in Co Clare

A young girl who was in a critical condition in hospital on Tuesday night after an incident in Co Clare was wounded in the same property where her mother was found unconscious. The property was being used as accommodation for refugees, including those recently arrived from Ukraine.

The mother and girl, both believed to be from Ukraine, were in critical condition in University Hospital Limerick on Tuesday night and there were concerns for the survival prospects of both. The girl, who gardaí suspect suffered stab wounds, is eight while her mother is in her 40s.

Both were discovered on Tuesday morning at a property in Clarecastle just outside Ennis where Clare Civil Defence has been providing emergency accommodation for people displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Clare Civil Defence personnel and an interpreter were also called to assist gardaí at the scene on Tuesday morning.

Found unconscious

When gardaí and paramedics arrived at the property, the wounded girl was treated at the scene before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick, though she may be transferred to a hospital in Dublin. The woman was found unconscious in the same property and was also taken from the scene to the same hospital.

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The house, which the mother and child had only recently moved into, has been sealed off and other people staying there have been brought to other accommodation. The property underwent an examination by members of the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit on Tuesday and it is expected to remain sealed-off on Wednesday as the evidence-gathering phase of the inquiry continues.

Gardaí were also expected to speak to other people who were staying in the property as part of the efforts to piece together the events of Tuesday morning. They are also trying to establish when the mother and daughter were last seen and who they last spoke to.

In a statement, gardaí said that shortly before 8am, gardaí and emergency service attended a scene at a domestic residence in Clarecastle, Co Clare.

“A female child was discovered with serious injuries and was removed to University Hospital Limerick where she remains in a critical condition,” the statement said. “A female adult was also found unconscious at the scene, and was removed to University Hospital Limerick where she is also in a critical condition.

“An incident room has been established at Ennis Garda station and a senior investigating officer has been appointed to oversee the investigation.”