An eight-year-old girl, who is a Ukrainian refugee is battling for her life after being stabbed 75 times Tuesday in a house near Clarecastle, Co Clare after arriving in Ireland from her war-torn land.
The young girl was found before 8 a.m. in a location near the town of Ennis. Her 46-year-old mother was also found unconscious at the scene. The victim is in critical condition after the frenzied knife attack. She sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck and body, and miraculously none of her major organs were hit. Currently, the child is in Crumlin Children's Hospital, after being moved from Limerick, where medics continue to treat her, Irish Mirror reported. The mother of the girl remains in Limerick University Hospital and is also in critical condition.
A source said, "It's very much waiting and see at this stage and in the doctor's hands but the fact her major organs weren't hit has given her a fighting chance." It is understood that the outcome of a toxicology report is being awaited which may give a reason for her collapse.
The girl and her mother were staying at a property that used to be a B&B. It is now used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees who have fled their home country because of the war.
Gardai and emergency rescuers were called by some residents of the house after they heard the screaming. Some of them attempted to enter the room but were unable, and that is when they called for help. Meanwhile, an incident room has been designated at Ennis Garda Station and a Senior Investigating officer has been appointed to supervise the investigation.
According to Mirror, a Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to help the family while the scene where the stabbing happened remains preserved. This is being examined by the Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit.
Gardai are conducting door-to-door inquiries in the area to gather further information and determine who else was in the property at the time of the incident.
An Garda Síochána has appealed for anyone with any further details on the incident to contact the investigation team at Ennis Garda Station 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station, Daily Mail reported.
