SHOCK and horror reverberated around the west Limerick community following the tragedy that unfolded in Newcastle West this week.
The deaths of two infants, their mother and her friend who were brutally murdered, has shaken the town, the county and the entire country, in what has been described as ‘one of the worst acts of violence in the history of the state’.
Sarah Hines, 25, her three- year- old son Reece, and five month old daughter Amy, along with Sarah’s friend Alicia Brough, 20, were all stabbed to death at a house in Hazel Grove near the town centre, in an attack that Chief Supt. David Sheahan, called “unreal”.
The bodies of the two adults were found downstairs at around 1.35pm on Tuesday, while the remains of the children were discovered in an upstairs bedroom.
Ms. Hines was from Tournafulla originally, while Ms Brough was a native of Rockchapel.
A 31 year old man was arrested at a pub in Kilkee after 4pm on Tuesday after a massive garda search operation.
Questioning at Henry Street Garda Station had been suspended at the time of going to press, as the man had been sent to hospital in Cork with injuries.
The arrested man is believed to be from Milford in north Cork and it is understood that he moved into the Hazel Grove house just two weeks ago.
State pathologist Marie Cassidy, arrived in Limerick on Wednesday morning to carry out an examination of the bodies.
Gardaí are conducting an extensive investigation into the murders, and the possibility that the attack took place on Monday last.
Prayers have been said for the victims at masses throughout Limerick since the news broke.
Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Cllr Richard Butler, described the tragic event as a “black day for the people of Newcastle West”.
