A terrified resident called for help after seeing an eight-year-old girl who had been stabbed over 70 times through a window, 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 at roughly 8am on Tuesday.
Gardai and emergency services were alerted by other residents at the house in Clarecastle, Co Clare, after they heard screaming.
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 lying unconscious next to her at the house.
She remains in Limerick University Hospital and is also in a critical condition.
The house, understood to be a former B&B, was occupied by 15 refugees who have since been moved to alternative accommodation.
After being unable to access the room, one resident went outside and spotted the seriously injured girl through a window before contacting the authorities, reports the Irish Independent.
Several children living in the property are also said to have witnessed the aftermath of the attack, and have been left "deeply shocked".
It is believed the young girl had started at a primary school in recent weeks when the new academic year began.
One neighbour said: “I’m thinking about her all the time...I don’t think she has any other family in Ireland.
"And the thought of her in hospital in Dublin on her own is really playing on my mind."
Detectives are attempting to make contact with the girl's father, but there is some confusion over whether he is in Ireland or Ukraine, it is reported.
Locally, the girl and her mother were not well-known as they have only come here in recent months having left Ukraine.
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.
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.”
