Boy, 12, and his 48-year-old father are found dead ‘in murder-suicide’ in Dublin
A 12-year-old schoolboy and his father have been found dead in a suspected murder-suicide in Dublin.
Oisin O’Reilly, just 12 years old, was found dead inside a home in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, on Thursday morning.
Hours earlier, the body of his father, Wayne O’Reilly, 48, was discovered at a separate address in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, around 15 minutes away.
Irish authorities believe the father fled the Clondalkin property after killing his son before taking his own life.
It is understood the boy may have died from asphyxiation, though post-mortem examinations are still awaited.
The grim discovery prompted an immediate Garda response, with officers racing between two locations as the scale of the tragedy emerged.
The case has cast renewed light on a troubling past incident, as both father and son were reported missing on October 17 last year, sparking a nationwide alert before they were found safe the following day.
On Thursday afternoon, Oisin’s body was removed from the Clondalkin home at around 3.20pm, as stunned and tearful neighbours looked on in silence.
Oisin O’Reilly, just 12 years old, was found dead inside a home in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, on Thursday morning
Hours earlier, the body of his father, Wayne O’Reilly, 48, was discovered at a separate address in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, around 15 minutes away
Garda Technical Bureau officers were seen combing the scene, while a stretch of road outside the property was cordoned off.
In Ballyfermot, a man who described himself as a ‘good friend’ of the father told The Irish Mirror: ‘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)’.
The friend, who remained anonymous, said O’Reilly was a skilled mechanic who ran a car sales business, but revealed his mental health had declined in recent years.
‘He was very popular, and none of his friends saw this coming at all. Everyone is shocked. Nobody can believe what happened,’ he added.
Local representatives described a community plunged into disbelief.
Clondalkin Councillor Francis Timmons said children who knew Oisin were struggling to process the loss.
‘Bawnogue and the wider Clondalkin community are in shock and disbelief to learn of two tragic deaths.
Members of An Garda outside a property in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot, west Dublin
‘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.
Ballyfermot Councillor Daithi Doolan also shared his grief online: ‘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 confirmed the case is being treated as a murder-suicide, stressing that no one else is being sought in connection with the deaths.
In a formal statement, police 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’.
They outlined the chilling sequence of events.
Members of An Garda outside a property in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot, west Dublin
‘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.’
Confirming the next steps, Gardai added: ‘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.
A Tusla spokesperson said: ‘Tusla – Child and Family Agency can confirm that we were advised earlier today of the death of a young boy in Dublin South City.
‘The death of a child is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the family, all those who knew him, and the local community at this difficult time.
‘This young boy was not in the care of the state, however he and his family were known to Tusla.
‘We continue to engage with An Garda Síochána as they conduct their investigation, and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.’
The Daily Mail has approached Gardai for comment.