LAST UPDATE | 27 Sep 2022

A YOUNG GIRL remains in a critical condition in hospital after she was discovered with serious injuries at a house in Co Clare early this morning.

Gardaí have also confirmed that a woman was also found unconscious at the scene. She was also removed to University Hospital Limerick where her condition is described as critical.

The child is believed to be of school-going age and was discovered with multiple injuries after emergency services were alerted to a serious incident at the property at Clareabbey near Clarecastle. The alarm was raised at around 8am.

Gardaí and National Ambulance Service paramedics responded to the incident on the main Ennis to Clarecastle road. While the child was rushed to hospital in Limerick, she could yet be transferred to Dublin for specialised treatment.

Gardaí sealed off the property while a technical examination of the scene is undertaken. Two teams of Garda Crime Scene Investigation officers are currently examining the scene.

It’s understood the property where the incident occurred is being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees. Clare Civil Defence personnel and an interpreter were also called to assist Gardaí at the scene this morning.

The remaining occupants of the property have since been transferred to an emergency refugee accommodation centre in Ennis. Clare Civil Defence has been providing emergency accommodation for people displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the past number of months.

An incident room has been established at Ennis Garda Station and a senior Investigating officer has been appointed to oversee the investigation. A Family Liaison Officer has also been appointed to the family.

A Garda spokesperson added: “This is a live and ongoing investigation and no further information is available at this time. An Garda Síochána are appealing for anyone with any information on this incident to contact the investigation team at Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.”