Gardai in Dublin are investigating the death of a five-year-old girl whose body was found in her home at Cromcastle Drive, Coolock, yesterday at 2.30 p.m. Santry gardai last night said they were talking to a person in relation to the death of Nicole Byrne.
Her body was removed to Beaumont Hospital where she was pronounced dead. A post-mortem was carried out last night by the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison.
The house and surrounding area were cordoned off while Garda forensic experts examined the scene. A Garda spokesman said it had an open mind on the matter until it got the results of the post-mortem.
Neighbours stood outside their houses yesterday evening along Cromcastle Drive where the little girl lived, many in disbelief. Three gardai stood outside the terraced house.
The child was found dead in the front room of her house by her 11-year-old brother, according to one neighbour. "It's a major shock . . . I am devastated and so is my wife," said Mr Ray Greene, who lives next door and who was alerted by Nicole's brother. Mr Greene, who has lived in the small, quiet neighbourhood for 34 years, said the Byrne family had lived next door to him for about 10 years. He described Nicole's parents, Ms Sylvia Byrne and Mr Jim Byrne, as a "lovely couple".
Ms Bernie O'Shaughnessy, who also lives next door, said Nicole was a friendly little girl. "I can't believe it. We're here 30 odd years and know all the kids. People just can't believe it."