Distraught father rushes to bedside of toddler fighting for life in Belfast after her eight-week old brother was stabbed to death as woman, 29, is arrested on suspicion of murder
- Father was in England but rushed back to Northern Ireland after the incident
- The baby was treated by medics but could not be saved and died at the scene
- A second child was rushed to hospital from the home in Brompton Park in Belfast
- A woman, 29, has been arrested and police have launched murder investigation
The father of an eight-week-old baby boy stabbed to death at a house in Belfast has rushed back from England to be at the bedside of his two-year-old daughter as she fights for life in hospital.
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder after the young siblings were stabbed.
Police and medics rushed to the house but sadly the baby could not be saved and was declared dead on scene.
His sister was rushed to hospital by ambulance crews and is in a life-threatening condition in intensive care.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched an investigation into what is understood to have been a domestic stabbing incident in Brompton Park.
The 29-year-old woman was arrested following the incident in the Ardoyne area of the city on Tuesday evening and remains in custody.
A 29-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an eight-week-old baby was reportedly stabbed to death and another was left serious injuries at a house in Belfast
Scene at Brompton Park in north Belfast where police have launched a murder investigation
Sinn Fein North Belfast MP John Finucane visited the scene on Wednesday.
He said: ‘It was a very tragic situation which unfolded here in Ardoyne last night.
‘It is my understanding that first responders entered a house, they found two young children very seriously injured and despite their best efforts one child died at the scene.
‘Another child has been taken to hospital and is currently in a critical condition.
‘Our hopes and prayers are that that child will pull through and make a full recovery.
‘Police have arrested a 29-year-old woman, they have commenced a murder investigation also so I think that process has to take its own course.
Police forensics officers pictured at the scene and there is a large police presence in the area
‘Everybody in the community, their thoughts are with the families that are directly affected by this.
‘It is a tragic situation compounded by the fact that we are dealing with somebody who has died at such a young age.’
Mr Finucane added: ‘I think there is a senselessness to it, I think people find it very difficult to try to comprehend the facts as they are being relayed and the facts as they are emerging.
‘It is incredibly difficult and will obviously leave a mark on those who are most impacted by it, and all we can do is rally round those who need support at this time.
‘This has been hugely impactful.
‘There were neighbours who assisted and some people who would have witnessed scenes that they shouldn’t have to witness.
‘Ardoyne is a very proud community, it is a resilient community also and I have no doubt whatsoever that they will rally around each other at this very difficult time, they will provide help and assistance for those who need it.
‘I would also just stress just for people to exercise caution and sensitivity in regards to what they would post or share on social media, there is a live murder investigation and people need to be respectful of that process as well.’
Police Service of Northern Ireland say a 29-year-old woman is in custody for questioning
A Police Service of Northern Ireland have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.
Det Ch Insp Millar from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team said: ‘Police were called to the house shortly after 8pm last night and discovered the injured baby and another injured child in the house.
‘Despite the efforts of the emergency services the baby was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The other young child was taken to hospital and remains in intensive care.
‘A 29 year woman who was also in the house has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody at this time.
Ambulance crews had earlier taken the two children to hospital following what is understood to have been a domestic stabbing incident at a home in Brompton Park in Belfast (pictured)
‘Our thoughts are with the baby’s family, who are being supported by Family Liaison Officers.
‘While our investigation is at any early stage I can confirm that at this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this tragic death.
‘I would like to thank the local community for the support that they have provided and would appeal to anyone with any information that can assist our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1787 27/07/21.’
SDLP deputy leader and North Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon said the local community was in shock.
The scene in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast where police have launched a murder probe
‘It is important that the PSNI are given the space and full co-operation to fully investigate this terrible incident,’ she said.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 8.16pm on Tuesday.
A rapid response paramedic and two emergency crews attended.
People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson said the news was ‘truly devastating’.
‘A wave of shock began in Brompton Park last night and spread out across north Belfast,’ she said.
‘After something so shocking, community solidarity, community support, rallying around each other is going to be absolutely paramount.’
Source: Read Full Article