Gardaí arrest man in connection with stabbing of four in Limerick

A man has been arrested in connection with the stabbing to death of a woman, her friend and two children today.

The man, in his early 30s, was arrested in connection with the incident in Kilrush, Co Clare, on the northern side of the Shannon estuary.

The man went missing after the four were killed in the Newcastle-West area of Limerick shortly after lunchtime.

He is now being held at Henry Street Garda station in Limerick city.

The two boys, one a baby under the age of one, the second aged five, were found stabbed to death in the house in Newcastle West this afternoon.

The two women - one of whom is understood to be the children's mother - had also been stabbed.

The alarm was raised some time after 1pm with the two dead women and two dead children discovered in a house.

The bodies were found inside the home on a housing estate in the town at 1.35pm.

Richard Butler, chairman of Limerick County Council, urged people to pray for the relatives of the victims.

“No words can adequately describe the tragedy that has befallen the people of Newcastle West,” Mr Butler said.

“Today is a black day for the people of Newcastle West and I would call on the people of County Limerick and, indeed, the rest of the country to pray for the loved ones of those whose lives have been so tragically cut short.”

Mr Butler said the close-knit community was in a state of shock and disbelief at the tragedy.

“On behalf of the people of Limerick, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the town today,” he added.