Three young siblings have died and their mother is in hospital after a "violent incident" in a home in Dublin.
Gardai were informed and arrived at the scene in Rossfield Estate in Tallaght around 12.30am on Sunday.
An 18-year-old girl and her brother and sister, twins aged eight, were taken from the scene by ambulance to Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin where they were all later pronounced dead.
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A 14-year-old teenage boy was removed from the scene to Tallaght Hospital with serious injuries, which are believed, at this time, to be non-life threatening.
The mother of the children, who was not injured at the scene, was also taken to Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin where she is currently receiving medical treatment.
Following an intervention by Garda Armed Support Unit members, involving the discharge of less than-lethal devices, a man aged in his early 20s was arrested at the scene. He is currently detained at Tallaght Garda Station under section 4 Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Gardai say all persons involved in this incident are believed to be known to each other. They are not looking for anyone else in relation to this incident, at this time.
An incident room has been established in Tallaght Garda Station and all the circumstances of this incident are being investigated under the direction of a Senior Investigating Officer.
The scene in Rossfield Estate remains sealed off and a Forensic Examination will commence later today by the Garda Technical Bureau.
The Coroner’s Office and the Office of the State Pathologist have been informed.
Post Mortems, to be arranged, will take place.
Gardai have appointed a family liaison officer and will continue to support the family involved in conjunction with other state agencies.
A spokesperson said: “This violent, challenging and traumatic incident was responded to by uniform unarmed Garda first responders from Tallaght District, supported by uniform members and armed detectives from the wider DMR South Division and Specialist Armed Support Unit members.
“An Garda Siochana has put in place welfare supports for, and will continue to support, all members who attended this incident."
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