Three sisters have died following a violent incident at a house in Dublin, police have said.
The teenage girl and her two younger siblings were taken by ambulance to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) in Crumlin, but all three were later pronounced dead.
Officers were called to a property on the Rossfield Estate in Tallaght at about 12.30am on Sunday, describing the incident as violent, challenging and traumatic.
A teenage boy was also taken from the scene to hospital with serious injuries, however they are not thought to be life-threatening.
A man in his early 20s was subsequently arrested at the scene by the Garda Armed Support Unit.
He is being held at Tallaght Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
The mother of the children, who was not injured, was also taken to CHI and is currently receiving medical treatment.
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Gardai said everyone involved is believed to be known to each other and officers are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident.
Officers in Tallaght have established an incident room and all the circumstances are being investigated under the direction of a senior investigating officer.
The scene in Rossfield Estate remains sealed off and a forensic examination will take place on Sunday by the Garda Technical Bureau.
The Coroner’s Office and the Office of the State Pathologist have been informed. Post-mortem examinations will also take place.
An Garda Siochana said it has appointed a family liaison officer and will continue to support those involved in conjunction with other state agencies.
Uniform unarmed Garda first responders from Tallaght District were first to attend the scene and were later supported by uniform members and armed detectives and specialist armed support unit members.
Welfare support for all officers who attended the incident has also been put in place.