The first image has been released of the eight-year-old girl who was stabbed in the neck and died ‘as she tried to protect her mother’ from a knifeman.
Yesterday, a 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with her murder.
Malika Noor Al Katib, was fatally wounded when she was stabbed in her home in County Wexford, Ireland.Â
Police and paramedics rushed to a house in New Ross at around 11.45pm on Sunday.Â
It is believed the knifeman turned the weapon on the little girl, stabbing her at least twice.Â
She was rushed to University Hospital Waterford – where she died on Monday morning.Â
A woman and man in their 30s are still receiving treatment at University Hospital Wexford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.Â
The scene remained cordoned off to the public on Monday night as detectives continue to probe the tragedy.
Malika Noor Al Katib, 8, died after she suffered stab wounds in the early hours of Monday morning
Garda at the scene in New Ross, County Wexford where the fatal assault took place
Security sources have told the Mail that an altercation happened at the house on Lower William Street close to midnight and that it spilled out on to the street itself.
Local councillor John Dwyer told the Irish Daily Mail that he had spoken directly with family members of the girl and that they were ‘inconsolable with grief’.
He said: ‘The whole community is numbed by this. It’s an absolute tragedy. I was speaking with family members who are just devastated, as you can imagine.
‘It’s an eight-year-old child killed like this. It’s just so heartbreaking.
‘The news went around the town like wildfire, as you can imagine. My thoughts are with the family here and we’ll do what we can to help them.’
Therese White, principal of New Ross Educate Together National School, where the young girl was a pupil, said her death is a ‘terrible tragedy’. ‘We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school,’ she said in a statement.
‘This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends.
‘The school has implemented our critical incident management plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS).
The area remained cordoned off after the attack on Sunday night as Garda investigate the murder
‘They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time. Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event.
‘We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time.’
Imam Rashid Munir, imam of the Waterford Al-Munir Islamic Centre, said the community had been left in shock.
He hoped that Malika can be buried today or tomorrow, in line with Muslim tradition.
Imam Munir told RTE Radio One: ‘The community are all in pain, they are all in shock. They all want to say a good goodbye to Malika.’
He added that Malika’s mother’s injuries are not life-threatening, but she is ‘not in a good condition’ following the loss of her daughter.Â
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this incident to come forward.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station.”