A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of three children in Newcastle, Co Dublin, last Friday.

The woman is being detained at Clondalkin Garda Station under section four of the Criminal Justice Act and can be questioned for up to 24 hours.

Earlier, the father of the three children, who were found dead in their home, spoke of his devastation and grief.

Conor, 9, Darragh, 7, and three-year-old Carla McGinley were found in the house at Parson's Court in Newcastle village, northwest of Rathcoole.

In a statement, issued through gardaí, their father Andrew McGinley said: "There are no words. There is only devastation, grief and anguish. Every breath is a struggle.

"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," he said.

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

A garda spokesperson said: "A woman in her 40s has been arrested on suspicion of murder, in relation to the discovery of the bodies of three children at a property in Parson's Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, on 24 January."