Baby girl killed in dog attack as she slept is named
"The absolute hearts of everybody go out to that family"
Ailbhe Daly
Forensic gardai at the scene of the incident in Co Waterford (Image: Jim Campbell)
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The three-month old who died after being mauled by a dog as she slept has been named as Mia O'Connell.
A terrier type dog not thought to belong to her family is understood to be responsible for the attack in the baby's bedroom at her home in Co Waterford.
Emergency services are said to have dashed to the scene of the incident in Clashmore in the early hours of Monday but despite efforts to save the tot at Cork University Hospital, she was pronounced dead around 3.15am.
Baby Mia is understood to have sustained serious head injuries after the animal struck.
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Her recently engaged parents, 20-something Ella Wood and Rhys O'Connell, 32, are believed to have moved to the area from Co Cork. It is thought that the baby's father was not at home at the time of incident.
Clashmore residents were in a state of shock as the news of the tragedy broke. One lady told the Irish Mirror: "It's just so shocking and sad. They hadn't lived here too long, I think they were from Cork originally.
"It's just tragic for someone to lose their child in a way like this."
Gardai outside the home (Image: Jim Campbell)
Another said: "I can't talk about it. I have young children myself and the thoughts of it alone will give me nightmares."
Local priest Fr Milo Guiry said that it was a "terrible tragedy".
He added: "We will keep the family in our prayers. Every support will be offered to them. It is terrible news."
Minister Simon Harris commented: "The absolute hearts of everybody go out to that family. What a tragic incident we're all after hearing of. It would be inappropriate to comment further other than to extend our thoughts and prayers to the family affected on what has just been the most horrifically, sad tragedy."
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Investigation after baby girl dies following dog attack
A Garda spokesman said: "Gardai are investigating all the circumstances after a female infant, aged three months, was fatally injured by a dog at a residence in Clashmore, Co Waterford, in the early hours of this morning.
"Gardai and paramedics treated the infant at the scene until she was taken to Cork University Hospital.
"She was pronounced deceased a short time later."
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