Father and son found dead in suspected murder-suicide named locally

Oisín O’Reilly, 12, and Wayne O’Reilly, 48. 

A major garda investigation is underway after the bodies of a father and his 12-year-old son were discovered in a suspected murder-suicide.

The remains were found in two separate houses, in the Ballyfermot and Clondalkin areas of west Dublin on Thursday morning.

The father was living with his son in a room of a house belonging to other family members in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin.

The deceased have been named as Wayne O’Reilly, aged 48, and his son Oisín O’Reilly.

Members of An Garda Technical Bureau outside a property in the Clondalkin area, Dublin, where the body of a boy was found. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Emergency services were first called to a house in Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot, at 8.30am, where they found the body of Mr O’Reilly. He had died by suicide.

Mr O’Reilly was not living in that house but knew someone that was.

Gardaí were concerned as to the safety of Mr O'Reilly's son, given previous worrying behaviour by Mr O’Reilly, who also had addiction and mental health issues.

Last October, Mr O’Reilly went missing with his son, prompting a public appeal for information, which cited garda and family concerns for their wellbeing.

On that occasion, they were found safe three days later.

After discovering Mr O'Reilly's body on Thursday, gardaí travelled to the address they had for him and his son, at Lindisfarne Grove, a short drive away.

The Irish Examiner understands that when gardaí called to the house, family members said that they were unaware Mr O’Reilly was not in his room, nor were they aware that Oisín was in the room.

When gardaí and family went to their room they found the boy’s body.

Both scenes were sealed off, pending the arrival of the State Pathologist and forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

Gardaí informed the boy’s mother of the tragedy.

Two post mortem examinations are being conducted.

Members of An Garda outside a property in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot, west Dublin, where the body of a man in his 40s was found. Picture: PA

Gardaí have begun the sensitive process of talking to family members, including those at Lindisfarne Grove, to gather information on Mr O’Reilly’s behaviour in recent days and weeks.

A full homicide investigation has been set up, led by a senior investigating officer. Gardaí will gather all the evidence and submit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions, as normal.

Once the DPP directs no prosecution, because the suspected culprit is dead, gardaí will then produce a file for a coroner, who will hold an inquest.

Part of the garda investigation, as normal, would be to establish that no one else had any involvement in the boy’s death.

Reacting to the tragedy, Sinn Fein Councillor for Ballyfermot, Daithí Doolan said: “This is deeply distressing news. The whole community is in shock. We offer our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased. The family are in our thoughts at this awful time.

“There is a long and painful journey ahead for this family, but this community will support them every step of the way.” He added: “I would appeal to people not to speculate on social media as this can often cause further pain for grieving families. But, if anyone has any information to please come forward and contact the Garda and help them with their investigation.” A statement issued by Garda HQ earlier on Thursday said: “Gardaí are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of two bodies at domestic residences in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 & Clondalkin, Dublin 22, on Thursday 8th January 2026.

“Gardaí and emergency services were called to a domestic residence in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot this morning at approximately 8:30am. A body of a male (aged in his 40s) was discovered deceased at the scene.

In follow up enquiries the body of a male child was discovered at a domestic residence in Clondalkin.” It said both locations had been preserved for forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.

“The Coroner has been notified and the services of the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested,” it said.

“Post-mortem examinations will be arranged in due course. The results of these examinations will assist Gardaí in determining the course of the investigation. The investigation is being carried out under a Senior Investigating Officer.”