Finglas double fatality: No sign of third-party involvement in deaths of man and girl

Gardaí are not searching for anyone else in relation to the deaths of a child and a man in Finglas, north Dublin.

The bodies were found in a house in the Heathfield estate in the Cappagh area at around 8pm on Saturday.

The child was aged around seven years old while the man is believed to be in his 30s. They were known to each other.

The investigation is at an early stage but sources say there was no sign of a break-in or external involvement.

The scene has been preserved for a technical examination, while the road was cordoned off with a large number of gardaí present on Sunday morning.

Gardaí have been conducting ground searches, including the front gardens of neighbouring properties.

The Office of the State Pathologist and the coroner had been notified, the Garda said in a statement, adding postmortems would be arranged. “The results of these examinations will assist gardaí in determining the course of the investigation.”

The bodies were due to be removed from the scene on Sunday morning following the completion of an initial forensic examination.

“It’s come as a shock to hear what was happened,” said Sinn Féin Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis. “It’s truly shocking that something like this could happen in the area.

“Heathfield is a newish estate and it’s a really good area, most of the estate are private houses and they’re lovely houses. A lot of people settled in there who were originally from Finglas and other areas. It is really horrific.”

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said the community had been “stunned” by the “deeply tragic” event.

“All of our thoughts are with the family of the two people and the wider community. Finglas is an area with so many families and young children growing up,” he said.

“People are quite stunned and really sad. Everyone is holding their children that bit closer and just hoping that those who are left, relatives and friends, are supported as much as possible by State services.”