Murder investigation launched after post mortem

Gardai have announced that they are to begin a murder investigation following a post mortem examination that was carried out on the body of an eight-year-old boy who was found on a beach in Co Wicklow.

Karl Murphy was found lying face down in the water on the North beach near Greystones after he was reported missing by his father.

The boy’s mother was found lying near the body and is being treated in hospital at present.

Gardai had been treating the case as suspicious until after the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison had finished his examination.