A woman has been arrested following the discovery of the bodies of three children in Dublin.

The two boys and girl, all under the age of nine, were found dead in their home at Parson's Court in Newcastle, in the south-west of Dublin city on Friday.

The woman, who is aged in her forties and was found at the scene, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Father Andrew McGinley pictured with his three children Conor, 9, Carla, 3, and Darragh, 7

She is currently being detained at Clondalkin Garda Station under Section 4 of Ireland's Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

The bodies of Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and Carla McGinley, three, were found in Newcastle, South Dublin, by their father Andrew on Friday.

A chilling note reading 'call 999, don't go upstairs' was found on the door.

There was no sign of a break-in at the house, sources said.

Detectives reportedly believe the children could have been drugged before being suffocated.

The woman - a relative of the children - was found 'wandering the streets' in a 'disoriented state' by a tax driver at around 7pm.

Earlier on Tuesday the father of the children said they all had 'beautiful, bright futures' ahead of them.

Andrew McGinley spoke of his devastation and grief at the deaths of his children.

In a statement issued through gardai, Mr McGinley said: 'There are no words. There is only devastation, grief and anguish. Every breath is a struggle.

Shattered father Andrew McGinley is pictured outside his home in Parson's Court, Newcastle, on Monday

A woman in her 40s - a relative of the children - was found 'wandering the streets' in a 'disoriented state' by a tax driver at around 7pm. Pictured: An ambulance at the scene

'Conor, Darragh and Carla are adored.

'They all had beautiful, bright futures ahead of them with family, friends and a community who love them.

'To all parents, cuddle your children whenever you get a chance. Tell them how much you love them as often as you can, spend every spare minute with them reading, playing and enjoying their wonderfulness.

'The future has now become our enemy but we will battle it every day to keep the memory of Conor, Darragh and Carla alive.'