A profound sense of loss has enveloped a west Dublin community following the tragic deaths of a father and his young son in a suspected murder-suicide on Thursday.
A Tragic Discovery in Two Suburbs
Emergency services were first called to a property in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot at approximately 8.30am on Thursday, 9 January 2026. There, they discovered the body of 48-year-old Wayne O’Reilly.
Shortly afterwards, the body of his 12-year-old son, Oisin O’Reilly, was found at a separate house in the nearby suburb of Clondalkin. The two properties, both still displaying Christmas decorations in their windows, are situated roughly a 15-minute drive apart.
Community Reels from Shock and Grief
Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan expressed the collective devastation felt locally. "We didn’t expect this here, you never expect it on your doorstep," he stated, describing a "deep sense of sadness and, I suppose, a sense of anger at it happening at all."
Councillor Doolan emphasised the difficult road ahead for the bereaved family but assured them of the community's unwavering support. "They can be rest assured, this community will be with them every step of the way as they embark on that difficult, difficult journey," he added.
He also issued a direct appeal, urging the public to refrain from speculating about the circumstances on social media, warning that such actions would only "exacerbate the grief and trauma" for the family.
Ongoing Investigation and Agency Involvement
Both scenes were preserved for detailed forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau, and post-mortem examinations were conducted on both bodies. A Garda spokesperson confirmed that the results of these examinations will determine the future course of the investigation.
In a statement, Tusla, Ireland's child and family agency, clarified that while the young boy was not in the care of the state at the time of his death, his family was "known to" the organisation.
The local community in Clondalkin and Ballyfermot is now left to grapple with the heartbreaking loss of a young boy and his father, as authorities work to piece together the full sequence of events.
