"She was taken away so devastatingly.”
The family of the three-month-old who was tragically killed by a dog in Waterford on Monday have said that they are "heartbroken" over the loss of the baby girl.
The incident occurred at a residence in Clashmore, County Waterford in the early hours of Monday morning 7 June, where Gardaí and paramedics treated the infant at the scene until she was taken to Cork University Hospital.
The three-month-old girl was pronounced dead a short time later.
Diane Wood, who is the aunt of the mother of the infant, has since set up a GoFundMe fundraising appeal to help the family, adding that "words can't describe" how the family are feeling at this time.
“She was always laughing and smiling and she brought joy to her parents. She really did. A beautiful little girl and she’s going to be so missed," Wood said on
WLRFM on Wednesday.
“The first smile they were looking forward to, the first words and sitting up, just everything every young mum looks forward to. She was taken away so devastatingly.
“It never happens to you, you know. It’s always somebody else. And to have it hit home and just to see the tragedy and the loss on the faces... it’s heartbreaking. Words can’t describe. How do you get over something like this?”
Wood also thanked people throughout Ireland for their support following the incident as well as the paramedics who arrived at the scene.
“Everybody has been so good all over the country. And from me and all the family we just want to say thank you," she continued.
“And to the paramedics who were on the scene and to the rapid response in Youghal that went, a massive thank you.
“It shocked the community. This is when the country comes together and you can really feel the warmth.”
The post-mortem was completed on Wednesday on the three-month-old infant who was fatally injured by a dog at the residence in Clashmore.
The post-mortem was administered by Assistant State Pathologist, Dr. Margaret Bolster, the results of which will not be released for operational reasons.
As a result of the post-mortem, An Garda Síochána said that their focus is on the preparation of an investigation file for an inquest by the County Coroner.
An Garda Síochána has appointed a family liaison officer to the family and continues to support the family at this tragic time.
