Dad and son dead in suspected murder suicide in Dublin
Gardai suspect that this little boy was violently murdered by his own father - who then took his own life.Oisin O'Reilly (11), was found dead at a house in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, West Dublin on Thursday morning - after officers first discovered his father Wayne O'Reilly (48) at a property in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot. Officers were alerted to the scene in Ballyfermot first, where Mr O'Reilly was found deceased in a shed at the back of a property. It is suspected that he took his own life after fleeing from the scene in Clondalkin, the Irish Mirror reports.Gardai were subsequently alerted to the scene in Clondalkin, a mere 15 minutes away, where they discovered the child's remains. It's believed the child died by asphyxiation. Both father and son had previously been reported missing to gardai back in October of last year - and a nationwide alert had been issued before they were at that time found safe and well.The body of the young child was removed from the scene in front of a crowd of shocked and devastated neighbours shortly after 3.20pm. Members of the Garda Technical Bureau were seen at the scene as gardai cordoned off a stretch of the road in front of the property.Speaking to the Irish Mirror from the scene in Ballyfermot, a man who said he was a "good friend" of Wayne O'Reilly spoke of his deep upset over what had happened. The man, who did not want to be named, was clearly upset as he spoke."He was a good friend. I have known him for more than 20 years. We are all shocked and devastated by what has happened. I last spoke to him about two weeks ago. He was in good form. He absolutely doted on (the little boy)."He also said the father was a talented mechanic and also sold cars. And said that the father's mental health had gone downhill in recent years. He added: "He was very popular and none of his friends saw this coming at all. Everyone is shocked. Nobody can believe what happened."Local Clondalkin-based Councillor Francis Timmons spoke of the devastation within the community, and how young friends of the child were struggling to deal with his loss."Bawnogue and the wider Clondalkin community are in shock and disbelief to learn of two tragic deaths. My heart and thoughts go out to the families and friends devastated by such an appalling loss. The whole community joins in grief of such unexpected loss. My thoughts are also with the child's school friends who are in shock and upset by their school friend's death," he said.Meanwhile, Ballyfermot-based Councillor Daithi Doolan stated on social media: "Heartbreaking news from Clondalkin and Cherry Orchard. This is so very sad. Deepest sympathy to the family and friends. You are in our thoughts at this tragic time," he said.Gardai believe the child was killed in violent circumstances by his father, but are awaiting the results of post-mortem examinations to confirm their suspicions. The incident is however being treated as a murder suicide - and officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to it.In a statement, gardai said they are "investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of two bodies at domestic residences in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 and 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," they said."In follow up enquiries the body of a male child was discovered at a domestic residence in Clondalkin. Both locations have 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. The body of the male adult has been removed from the scene to the city morgue. The body of the male child remains at the scene."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, gardai added.
