Dublin Tragedy: Father Suspected of Strangling Six-Year-Old Daughter Before Taking Own Life

Gardaí suspect that a father strangled his six-year-old daughter to death before taking his own life in what is being described as a horrific murder–suicide in Dublin.

A murder investigation has been launched after the child’s distraught mother discovered the bodies of her daughter and partner at their home on Heathfield Terrace, Cappoge, near Finglas, on Saturday night.

The father, believed to be in his 30s and employed as a bus driver, was found dead near the stairs, while the young girl was discovered in her bedroom. Locals reported hearing the mother’s anguished screams as emergency services — including Gardaí, ambulance crews, and Dublin Fire Brigade — rushed to the scene shortly after 8 p.m.

Investigators believe the child was strangled before the father took his own life. There were no signs of forced entry or third-party involvement. It is feared both may have been dead for several hours before the mother returned home and made the devastating discovery.

The bodies were removed from the property around midday on Sunday and taken for post-mortem examinations, which will determine the course of the Garda investigation.

The tragedy unfolded in a quiet residential estate opposite a children’s playground — a place where neighbours often saw the father and daughter spending time together.

One local resident described the moment of horror: “A neighbour heard a scream — it was the mother. She had just come home from work and found them. Everyone here is in shock.”

Another resident spoke of the painful conversations now facing local parents: “It’s very hard. We don’t know what to tell our children. Many of them played with the little girl. My daughters are the same age as her. We just told them that something sad had happened.”

Residents described the family as “quiet and reserved,” adding that “no one could have imagined such a thing happening here.”

One woman recalled seeing the emergency response: “I was upstairs when I saw the fire truck rush in. The urgency told me it was something serious. There were multiple ambulances and Garda vehicles — but when I saw the ambulances leaving empty, I knew it was bad.”

Neighbours also spoke of the father’s close bond with his daughter: “He spent all summer teaching her to ride her bike without stabilisers. You’d see him standing in the middle of the road stopping traffic to help her. The grandmother had just gone back home after staying with them all summer.”

Gardaí have established an incident room and are awaiting the results of the post-mortems before confirming the official cause of death. However, officers are preparing for a full murder investigation.

In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said:
“Gardaí are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of two bodies at a residence in Finglas, Dublin, on Saturday, 27 September 2025. Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 8 p.m. The area has been preserved for forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau. The Coroner has been notified, and the Office of the State Pathologist has been requested to assist.”

Authorities have urged anyone affected by the incident to seek support.
For confidential help, contact Pieta House at 1800 247 247 or The Samaritans at (01) 671 0071.