A quiet Thursday in West Dublin was shattered by tragedy as Gardaí launched a major investigation into the deaths of a 48-year-old father and his 11-year-old son. The bodies of Wayne O’Reilly and young Oisín O’Reilly were discovered on January 8, 2026, at two separate residential addresses, sparking a wave of grief across the communities of Ballyfermot and Clondalkin.
While formal forensic results are pending, investigators are currently treating the incident as a suspected murder-suicide. Sources indicate that Gardaí are not looking for any other individuals in connection with the fatalities.
Timeline of Discovery
The grim sequence of events began on Thursday morning, ultimately leading investigators between two homes located approximately 15 minutes apart.
- 08:30 AM: Emergency services were alerted to a domestic residence in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of Wayne O’Reilly (48).
- Follow-up Inquiries: Acting on information found at the first scene, Gardaí moved to a second residence in Clondalkin, where they found the body of 11-year-old Oisín O’Reilly.
- Scene Preservation: Both locations, still featuring visible Christmas decorations in the windows, were immediately sealed off for a full forensic examination by the Garda Technical Bureau.
Background and Institutional Involvement
As the investigation deepens, details regarding the family’s history have emerged. It is understood that the father and son were the subject of a missing persons incident in late 2025, during which family members had expressed concern for their wellbeing.
Furthermore, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, confirmed on Thursday evening that the boy was known to the agency, although he was not in the care of the state at the time of his death. A spokesperson for Tusla described the event as a “tragedy” and stated they are cooperating fully with An Garda Síochána.
Community Response
Local representatives have expressed profound distress at the news. Councillor Daithí Doolan spoke for the neighborhood, stating that “the whole community is in shock” and urged the public to avoid speculation on social media to protect the privacy of the grieving family.
| Status of Investigation | Detail |
| Suspects | None; believed to be a murder-suicide. |
| Pathology | State Pathologist notified; post-mortems scheduled. |
| Custody Context | Believed to be a shared custody arrangement. |
| Support | Family Liaison Officers appointed to support relatives. |
Support Services
In the wake of such a distressing event, authorities encourage anyone affected to reach out to professional support services:
- Samaritans Ireland: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
- Childline: 1800 66 66 66 (For under 18s)
- Pieta: 1800 247 247 (Suicide and self-harm support)
Gardaí (Ireland Police) Flickr Picture by William Murphy
