A girl, reportedly eight years old, was pronounced dead in the early hours of Monday, December 2 following an assault at a residence in New Ross, Co Wexford on Sunday night.

An Garda Síochána said in a statement on Monday that Gardaí are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a girl following a fatal assault at a domestic residence in New Ross, Co Wexford last night, December 1.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene on Sunday at approximately 11:45 pm. According to the Irish Times, the location is a private residence in Lower William Street, an area known locally as Jones’s Hill.

Gardaí said the girl was taken to University Hospital Waterford for treatment. She passed away from her injuries in the early hours of this morning.

A woman and a man, both in their 30s, are receiving treatment at University Hospital Wexford. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, Gardaí said on Monday.

The scene has been preserved for forensic examination. The Coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled.

A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at New Ross Garda Station.

Investigating Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this incident to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station at 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111, or any Garda Station.

It is being reported that the girl, man, and woman were known to each other and that they each suffered stab wounds.

"We woke up to an awful tragedy on our own doorstep," Councillor Michael Sheehan told Virgin Media News on Monday.

"And at a time of coming together as a community, preparing for Christmas, we're dealing with this now.

"The best way to say how we feel is, the community is numb. Nobody knows what to say, nobody knows what to do. 

"Over the next couple of weeks, we'll rally around as a community to take care of each other and to take care of the family.

"At the heart of it all, there's an innocent little victim in this. They're all in our thoughts and prayers."

In a statement on Monday, Therese White, Principal of New Ross Educate Together National  School where the victim was a student, said: "We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school.

"This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends.

"The school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time.

"Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time.

"We would ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time."