LAST UPDATE | 28 Jul 2021

TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid following the death of a child in Belfast last night, as police launch a murder investigation. 

Police were called to a house in Brompton Park in Ardoyne shortly after 8pm, where they discovered an injured baby and another injured child. 

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The other young child was taken to hospital and remains in intensive care. 

A 29-year-old woman who was also in the house has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. She remains in custody at this time. 

“Our thoughts are with the baby’s family, who are being supported by family liaison officers,” PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Millar said. 

“While our investigation is at an early stage, I can confirm that at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this tragic death,” Millar said. 

“I would like to thank the local community for the support that they have provided and would appeal to anyone with any information that can assist our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 1787 27/07/21.” 

‘Tragic’

Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Sinn Féin’s North Belfast MP John Finucane said the local community is “very close knit”.

“The houses are right beside each other … neighbours were quite literally watching what was unfolding, emerging from the house, it was exceptionally traumatic for them,” Finucane said. 

“It is also exceptionally traumatic for those first responders who had to go into the house,” he said. 

Finucane urged people to be “very cautious and sensitive” with regards to what they post on social media, “particularly with regard to sharing the many videos from that area last night”. 

“It’s a live murder investigation that needs to be respected, but more importantly we need to respect the fact that there are families who will be trying to get to grips with what happened last night and will be right at the centre of this grieving process,” he said. 

Tweeting last night, local People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson said the incident was “devastating news”. 

“All my thoughts are with the family involved and the community who are in a state of shock,” Ferguson said. 

“Few situations are as difficult as this and local support is paramount. Would appeal for people to refrain from public speculation in respect for all involved,” she said. 

DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson said it was “tragic news”. 

“My thoughts are with all involved. Please, everyone respect the privacy of this family at this time and allow the police to do their job,” Donaldson said. 

With reporting by Press Association