THE BODY OF a toddler who died in violent circumstances at an apartment in Ballybrack, south Dublin, has now been taken from the scene, following a preliminary post-mortem examination.

A murder inquiry is under way.

It’s believed the two-year-old boy died as a result of stab wounds at the Ridge Hall complex. A doctor pronounced him dead at the scene.

A woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested at the first floor apartment this afternoon after the alarm was raised, and has been taken for questioning to Dun Laoghaire Garda Station, where she remains tonight.

The young boy was the subject of a nationwide appeal, after a Child Rescue Ireland alert was issued for him this summer.

He was found later that day, safe and well.

Daragh Brophy / TheJournal.ie .. The scene this evening. Daragh Brophy / TheJournal.ie .. The scene this evening. / TheJournal.ie .. The scene this evening.

Officers were called to the apartment at 2pm today, after gardaí received a phone-call.

The apartment was immediately sealed off as a crime scene, and forensic tests were conducted by garda experts.

Gardaí were trying to locate the boy’s father, a foreign national aged in his 60s, to inform him of his son’s death. However, a garda spokesperson said this evening that all family members have now been notified.

Locals have left flowers at the gates of the complex. Daragh Brophy / TheJournal.ie Daragh Brophy / TheJournal.ie / TheJournal.ie

A garda spokesperson confirmed this evening that the child’s body has been removed from the scene, and taken to Tallaght Hospital.

Dr. Michael Curtis, the Deputy State Pathologist, will carry out a full post-mortem tomorrow.

Gardaí were stopping residents of the apartment complex on their way home from work this evening to inform them of the situation.

The toddler lived with his mother at the two-storey complex, a short distance away from the centre of Ballybrack village.

A female relative said this evening that it was a “terrible tragedy”.

“The cops are all over this,” she added.

We have had enough tragedy — my dad passed away last year.

Locals

Neighbour Margaret Willis told TheJournal.ie that she “had to come up” to the scene to pay her respects.

“God help the little angel,” she said.

Other neighbours said the area was normally very quiet and settled, and that they were shocked at what had happened.

Several locals left flowers at the gates of the complex, as the garda investigation continued inside.

Child Rescue Alert

A CRI Alert is only ever initiated by gardaí when there is a reasonable belief that there is an immediate and serious risk to the health and welfare a child.

It results in messages being displayed on digital motorway signage, and in train and ferry stations. Every media outlet in the country is also informed, and images of the child are sent out.

The system was launched in May of 2012, and is used sparingly by gardaí.

Additional reporting by Nicky Ryan, Michelle Hennessy and Sinead O’Carroll.

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