A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out today on a teenager who died violently while in Tusla care.
The child, who is understood to have been 17 at the time of his death and from Ukraine, was living in care in an apartment complex in Donaghmede, North County Dublin.
Gardaí said they were called out to the property shortly after 11am yesterday morning.
“When they arrived they found a teenager, he’s a juvenile; we understand he’s 17 and he’s from eastern Europe,” Conor Lally of the Irish Times told Newstalk Breakfast.
“They found him badly wounded at the scene and, even though he’s been treated by paramedics, unfortunately he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“They also arrested a second boy who was there; he was also from abroad and we understand he’s 17 as well.
“That boy also suffered injuries in the incident and a care worker who was providing care to 14 teenagers at the apartment, she was also wounded.
“So, those two wounded people were taken to hospital for treatment.”
Gardaí in Donaghmede. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.Gardaí hope to interview the teenager today and are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.
View this post on Instagram
Mr Lally added that people in the local area were “very, very shocked” when news of the teenager's death began to spread.
“It’s a very quiet area; lots of families and children around,” he said.
“And I think everybody was just in total shock at what was after happening.”
Gardaí in Donaghmede. Picture by: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie.Tusla have confirmed that the incident involved two young people in their care.
“They had come to Ireland and they were being provided with 24 hour care at that apartment,” Mr Lally explained.
“It appears that this particular apartment is one of many centres around the place that are used to house people underage, who come to Ireland on their own.
“They have to be cared for, so Tusla puts them in their apartments.”
Anyone with any information about the incident has been asked to contact Coolock Garda Station.
Main image: Gardaí and forensic investigators at the scene in Donaghmede. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.
