Two arrested on suspicion of murder of Limerick boy released without charge

Mason O’Connell, 4, suffered injuries at a house in Rathbane, Limerick on March 13.

Gardaí investigating the death of Mason O’Connell in Limerick earlier this year have released two people without charge after arresting them on suspicion of murder.

The four-year-old suffered injuries at a house in Rathbane, Limerick on March 13.

He died three days later at Children’s Hospital Ireland, Temple Street, having been earlier treated at University Hospital Limerick and Cork University Hospital.

An inquest in June heard a post mortem carried out by pathologist, Dr Heidi Okkers, had established the cause of death as “a traumatic head injury”.

Gardaí have said a file is being prepared with the Director of Public Prosecutions and that investigations are ongoing. 

Yesterday gardaí confirmed they had arrested a man in his 30s, and a woman in her 20s. 

They were being held overnight at garda stations in Limerick City under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The inquest in June was adjourned until December 14 at the request of gardaí who said an investigation into the circumstance was still ongoing.

At Mason’s funeral, Fr Tom Whelan told the little boy’s family their son captured “all hearts” in the tight-knit rural community.

He also said Mason would be remembered in the community for his love of “football, fishing, and walks around the village”.