Police have identified a key suspect after an eight-year-old girl was stabbed over 70 times in her neck and body, it has been reported.
The girl, who was staying in Ireland after fleeing her war-torn homeland of Ukraine, was found with serious injuries at an emergency accommodation for refugees on Tuesday morning.
Medics said she had 75 knife wounds and although all of her major organs were somehow missed, she remains in a critical condition after being transferred to another hospital.
Her mum, 46, was also discovered unconscious at the house in Clarecastle, Co Clare.
She remains in Limerick University Hospital and is also in a critical condition.
Detectives are understood to to have identified a suspect and are not looking for anyone else in relation to the attack.
A source told the Irish Sun: "Gardai have identified a suspect, they have a suspect in mind. The child sustained a large number stab wounds in this violent incident.
"It is believed the incident occurred in a room at the property. The first responders were met with a shocking scene."
The girl remains in hospital where she is being treated, they added.
Another source told the Irish Mirror: "It's very much wait and see at this stage and in the doctor's hands, but the fact her major organs weren't hit has given her a fighting chance."
She was staying with her mum at a property, understood to be a former B&B, which is being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees.
Gardai and emergency services were alerted by other residents in the house after they heard of screaming.
Some attempted to gain access to the room but were unable to and then raised the alarm.
After the daughter and mother were rushed to hospital, the remaining occupants of the house were transferred to alternative refugee accommodation in Ennis after consultation with the local Civil Defence.
It is understood doctors are awaiting the results of a toxicology report in the hope of discovering the cause of the mum's collapse.
Detectives are speaking to each of the occupants who were present in the home to build a timeline of events.
Officers have also conducted door-to-door enquiries.
Locally, the girl and her mother were not well-known as they have only come here in recent months having left Ukraine.
It is believed the child had started at a primary school in recent weeks when the new academic year began.
A family liaison officer has been appointed to the relatives of the pair.
A Garda spokesman said: “This is a live and ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time.
"An Garda Síochána are appealing for anyone with any information on this incident to contact the investigation team at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”
