Murder investigation resources allocated to case of father and daughter found dead in home

Detectives believe Krzysztof Daczkowski killed his five-year-old daughter, Julia, and then died by suicide at their home in the Finglas area of North Dublin on Saturday evening

The bodies remained at the scene on Saturday after paramedics determined they were dead. The house was preserved pending the arrival of the state pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau. Picture Colin Keegan/Collins, Dublin

Gardaí have begun talking to family members and friends of a man suspected of killing his daughter before taking his own life in Dublin at the weekend.

Detectives believe Krzysztof Daczkowski killed his five-year-old daughter, Julia, and then took his own life at their home in the Finglas area of North Dublin on Saturday evening.

The girl’s mother, Aga, found Julia and her father dead when she returned home after work to their terraced house on Heathfield Terrace in Cappoge at around 8pm. Neighbours called the emergency services when they heard the mother scream at the horrific discovery.

When paramedics and gardaí arrived, the father was found at the stairs. Sources said it was clear the 50-year-old had died by suicide. The girl was found in an upstairs bedroom. Sources said she had suffered no obvious signs of violence.

While investigators suspect she may have been suffocated, gardaí stress that only an autopsy will reveal the cause of death.

The father and daughter could have been dead for some hours before the mother arrived home.

The family are originally from Poland, but are thought to have been living in Ireland for some time.

Neighbours said the girl and her father were often in the neighbourhood playground, which was opposite their house, and on the road, where he was teaching his daughter how to cycle without stabilisers.

Gardaí are beginning the process of speaking to the girl’s mother and other family members to build up a picture of what was going on in the father’s life in recent weeks and months.

They will also contact work colleagues of his, as well as his friends, to see if anyone has information that might shed light on his behaviour.

Locals and well-wishers left bouquets of flowers, assorted teddy bears, candles, and cards outside the home. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins, Dublin

The bodies remained at the scene on Saturday after paramedics determined they were dead. The house was preserved pending the arrival of the state pathologist and the Garda Technical Bureau.

The bodies were removed from the home at around midday on Sunday, and they were taken to hospital for a full autopsy.

Locals and well-wishers left bouquets of flowers, assorted teddy bears, candles, and cards outside the home.

Gardaí have been contacting relatives and family members abroad. Neighbours said that the girl’s grandmother had only recently returned home to Poland after a lengthy stay over the summer.

Gardaí have allocated all the resources of a murder investigation. An incident room has been established at Finglas Garda Station and a senior investigating officer and family liaison officer have been appointed.

As there is nobody alive to press criminal charges against, the garda investigation will result in a file to the coroner pending an inquest.

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan has extended his condolences to the mother of the young girl.

Julia was a senior infant at a primary school in nearby Tyrrelstown in West Dublin. It is thought she was due to turn six soon.

The National Educational Psychological Service has offered support to staff and the school community.