Tributes left at the scene of a toddler's death (Photo: Conor Feehan)

Tributes left at the scene of a toddler's death (Photo: Conor Feehan)

A garda preserves the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

Gardai preserves the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

A cuddly teddy bear and candles left at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

A garda preserves the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

Members of the Garda Technical Bureau at the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

Members of the Garda Technical Bureau at the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

Members of the Garda Technical Bureau at the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

Flowers left as Gardai preserve the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

A murder investigation has been launched after a three-year-old boy was found stabbed to death in an apartment in south Dublin.

The toddler is understood to have been stabbed a number of times, including in the chest, at the Riverside apartments, in Kimmage, Dublin 12.

Emergency services were alerted to the scene at around 7pm last night after receiving a number of 999 calls about a woman in a distressed state.

When paramedics arrived, they discovered the three-year-old dead in a room in the apartment.

The child's mother, aged in her 40s, was also discovered with apparent knife wounds.

She was rushed to St James's Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Expand Close Members of the Garda Technical Bureau at the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys / Facebook

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Whatsapp Members of the Garda Technical Bureau at the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

It is understood the child and mother are of Middle Eastern descent.

The little boy has been named as Omar Omran. Iraqi doctor Maha Al-Adheem has been named as Omar's mother.

Expand Close A garda preserves the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys / Facebook

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Whatsapp A garda preserves the scene at the Riverside apartment at Poddle Park in Kimmage where the young child was stabbed to death. Pic Steve Humphreys

Senior sources last night told the Irish Independent the child was stabbed in the upper-chest with a kitchen knife.

Emergency services personnel had to break down the door in order to get immediate access to the apartment.

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Gardai begin their investigation into the incident. Photo: Arthur Carron Tributes left at the scene of a toddler's death (Photo: Conor Feehan) Tributes left at the scene of a toddler's death (Photo: Conor Feehan) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Gardai begin their investigation into the incident. Photo: Arthur Carron

When they entered, they discovered the child dead in the bedroom of the property. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

This morning, gardai remained at the scene awaiting the arrival of the pathologist and the garda technical bureau.

Two candles burned quietly at the entrance to the small Riverside apartment complex.

One small teddy bear was positioned beside them, and on the gate someone had left a small cuddly giraffe with the message 'Why???? RIP' pinned to it on a sheet of paper.

Expand Close A teddy bear left at Riverside appartments, Poddle Park, Kimmage after the death of a boy (3). Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook

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Whatsapp A teddy bear left at Riverside appartments, Poddle Park, Kimmage after the death of a boy (3). Photo: Tony Gavin

A resident of Riverside apartments who did not want to be named said he had met the mother in the apartment complex a few times.

He also said the little boy always seemed happy.

"The police and fire brigade were here when I arrived at around seven o'clock, and I was thinking there was a fire," he said.

The man said the woman has been living in Riverside for around two or three years.

"People are shocked. She would leave here in the car and the child was always with her. He was always happy, and talked," he said.

At 11.45am the ambulance from the city morgue arrived and the young boy's body was brought out on a stretcher and under a blanket.

The ambulance was then driven from the scene under garda escort and a post mortem was due to place later today.

Meanwhile, a team from the garda technical bureau carried out a forensic examination at the scene.

Local people shocked by the tragedy brought flowers to the scene, pausing briefly to pay their respects.

"We didn't know the child, but it just felt like the right thing to do," said Greg Byrne, who arrived with his friend Reddy Thumma.

Investigation

A source said investigating detectives are following a definite line of inquiry.

Officers were at the hospital last night and were waiting to speak to the woman following her treatment.

"Emergency personnel were initially told that the child went into cardiac arrest, but when paramedics entered the property they discovered the infant deceased with stab wounds," a senior source said.

A Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí in Crumlin are investigating a homicide of an infant child.

"An adult female was also injured in the incident and has been taken to St James's Hospital where her condition is described as serious."

The spokesperson said the discovery was made when gardaí were called to an address in Poddle Park.

"The infant was pronounced dead at the scene," the spokeswoman said.

Locals described hearing a distressed woman screaming in the apartment complex before emergency services arrived.

"I wouldn't know the woman well, she only had one child as far as I know.

"It's absolutely tragic, I'm not even sure of what happened yet," one local woman said.

Flowers were last night placed outside the apartment where the young boy died.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Ray McHugh said his thoughts were with the young victim's family.

Speaking at the scene, Mr McHugh said: "It's an absolute tragedy.

"The residents around here are in total disbelief and shocked.

"My sympathies are with the young child's family at this time."

The injured woman was believed to work in a Dublin hospital.

A number of garda cars remained at the Riverside apartment complex beside Poddle Park last night while the scene was sealed off pending a forensic examination.

The State Pathologist was notified.

An incident room has been established at Crumlin garda station and investigating detectives are appealing for information.

Last night, Dr Umar al-Qadi, imam of the Blanchardstown mosque, said: "This is a tragedy which is extremely heart-breaking and my thoughts and prayers go out to all the family members and also the community which has been affected by it.

"A three-year-old innocent child has lost his life in a horrendous way.

"I pray for the child that he will be in peace."

Gardaí investigating the death of the boy have now appealed for witnesses.

They are appealing for anyone who was in the area of Poddle Park between 5pm on Sunday 9th July and 7pm on Monday 10th July 2017 to contact them at Crumlin Garda Station on 01 666 6200.

Irish Independent