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The suspect, reportedly in his 30s, has been detained by Gardaí (Irish police).
The attack occurred at the family’s home on Lower William Street in New Ross, Co. Wexford. The child, named by the press as Malikika Al Katib, rushed to defend her mother, Alisha, 31, after hearing her screams during the assault.
While reportedly trying to shield her mother from the assailant, Malikika was stabbed at least twice and succumbed to her injuries despite emergency efforts to save her. She was pronounced dead early Monday morning at Waterford University Hospital.
A security source told the Irish Daily Mail, “We know there was an altercation between a man and a woman and that the child tried to intervene at some point to help her mother.
“She then got caught up in the row and was stabbed in the neck. This happened in front of the mother so you can only imagine what she witnessed.
“The man then tried to end his life but was unsuccessful. At this stage, he is being treated for his injuries but there are armed gardaí at the hospital.”
Alisha, a convert to Islam, also sustained stab wounds during the attack but is expected to make a full recovery. Gardaí have confirmed that a man, identified as the suspect, was found at the scene with minor injuries and is currently in custody.
The man has been a resident of New Ross for several years but is originally from Kuwait.
Authorities have heightened security around the case, with the Garda Armed Support Unit monitoring the suspect and additional Public Order Unit officers stationed at the hospital where Alisha is receiving care to ensure her safety.
Vigil services and tributes are being planned in Malikika’s memory while members of the local community have expressed their shock at the news.
Theresa White, the principal of New Ross Educate Together National School attended by Malikika said, “We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends.”
Local Independent councilor John Dwyer said: “Everybody is really shocked. This sort of thing just does not happen in a town like New Ross. The whole community is numbed by this. It’s an absolute tragedy.
“It’s an 8-year-old child killed like this. It’s just so heartbreaking,” he added.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Gardaí confirming that no other individuals are being sought in connection with the attack.