Tragic Discovery in Dublin Suburbs
A quiet Thursday morning in Dublin was shattered by the grim discovery of two bodies in a suspected murder-suicide, claiming the lives of a 48-year-old father and his 12-year-old son. The Irish police, An Garda Síochána, are investigating the tragic sequence of events that unfolded across two addresses in the city's western suburbs.
The body of Wayne O'Reilly, aged 48, was discovered first. Gardaí and emergency services were called to a domestic residence in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, at approximately 8:30am on Thursday, 8th January 2026.
In follow-up enquiries prompted by this discovery, officers made a second, harrowing find. The body of Oisin O'Reilly, just 12 years old, was located at a home in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, a journey of around 15 minutes from the first scene.
A Chilling Sequence of Events
Authorities believe the father fled the Clondalkin property after killing his son before taking his own life at the separate address in Ballyfermot. While official post-mortem examinations are awaited, it is understood the young boy may have died from asphyxiation.
The scale of the tragedy prompted an immediate and significant Garda response. The Garda Technical Bureau conducted forensic examinations at both locations, with a stretch of road outside the Clondalkin home cordoned off. Oisin's body was removed from the property at around 3.20pm that afternoon, as devastated neighbours looked on in silence.
In a formal statement, Gardaí confirmed the investigation is being treated as a murder-suicide and stressed that no one else is being sought in connection with the deaths. The Coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist have been notified.
A Community in Shock and a Troubling Past
The case has cast a pall of disbelief over the local communities and revived memories of a previous incident. Both father and son were reported missing on 17th October last year, sparking a nationwide alert before they were found safe the following day.
A friend of Wayne O'Reilly in Ballyfermot described him as a skilled mechanic who ran a car sales business and "absolutely doted" on his son. The anonymous friend revealed, however, that O'Reilly's mental health had declined in recent years. "He was very popular, and none of his friends saw this coming at all. Everyone is shocked," the friend told The Irish Mirror.
Local representatives expressed profound grief. Clondalkin Councillor Francis Timmons said, "Bawnogue and the wider Clondalkin community are in shock and disbelief... My thoughts are also with the child's school friends who are in shock and upset." Ballyfermot Councillor Daithi Doolan called the news "heartbreaking."
Tusla – Child and Family Agency confirmed the young boy was not in the care of the state but that he and his family were known to the agency. A spokesperson offered condolences and stated they are engaging with Gardaí.
The investigation continues under a Senior Investigating Officer, with the results of the post-mortem examinations set to determine the precise course of the inquiry.
