The young girl fighting for life after a frenzied knife attack at a house was stabbed 75 times - but miraculously none of her major organs were hit.
The Irish Mirror has learned that the eight-year-old Ukrainian refugee is in Crumlin Children's Hospital, after being transferred from Limerick, where medics continue to treat her. The child was discovered before 8am on Tuesday morning at a house near Clarecastle, Co Clare, which is near the town of Ennis.
Her mum, 46, was also discovered unconscious at the scene. The girl had severe injuries after being stabbed multiple times to the neck and body. And medics have now established that she had 75 knife wounds.
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Although none of the child's major organs were hit, she remains in critical condition. A source said: "It's very much wait 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."
The child's mother remains in Limerick University Hospital and is also in critical condition. It is understood that the results of a toxicology report are being awaited which may give a reasoning to her collapse.
The Irish Mirror has learned that gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to the case. The child and mother were staying at a property, understood to be a former B&B, which is being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees who have fled their home country due to the war.
Gardai and emergency services were alerted by other residents in the house after they heard of screaming. Some attempted to gain access to the room but were unable and then raised the alarm. After the daughter and mother were rushed to hospital, the remaining occupants of the house were transferred to refugee accommodation in Ennis following consultation with the local Civil Defence through an interpreter.
Detectives will now speak to each of the occupants who were present in the home to build a timeline of events. Officers have also conducted door-to-door enquiries. Locally, the girl and her mother were not well-known as they have only come here in recent months having left war-torn Ukraine.
It's understood the child had only begun in a primary school in recent weeks when the new academic year started following the summer break. An incident room has been established at Ennis Garda Station and a senior Investigating officer has been appointed to oversee the probe.
A Family Liaison Officer has also been appointed to the relatives of the pair. A Garda spokesman said: “This is a live and ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time.
"An Garda Síochána are appealing for anyone with any information on this incident to contact the investigation team at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."
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