The father of a seven-year-old Irish boy believed to be killed by his mother before she took her own life this week has expressed his heartbreak.
Shane O’Driscoll, from Bray, Co Wicklow, took to Facebook to thank friends and family for their support, since the tragedy, saying:
“Today it became real when I had the first opportunity to hold Oisin and see his little face.
“My best buddy has been taken from this world and taken from all his little friends. He has always been an angel.”
He ended with: “Sleep well my little man. Love Dada.”
Mr O’Driscoll, a barrister working in the UK, had previously posted photos of himself and Oisin in Bray during the summer.
Mr O’ Driscoll himself raised the alarm upon failing to contact his ex-partner Ms Higgins for some time.
Ms Higgins, a registered nurse and medico-legal advisor, from Aughagower, Co Mayo, had tweeted a week ago “the future looks very” followed by a tornado emoji.
It is understood that she had been suffering from a deep depression in recent times.
It is possible that Ms Higgins and her son may have been lying dead since the weekend when they were last publicly seen.
Police forced entry into their home in The Fairway, Ruislip, on Wednesday morning, and discovered the tragedy.
A neighbour believed Ms Higgins became depressed after breaking up with Shane O’Driscoll, along with debt and rent worries.
Shocked friends of Mr O’Driscoll have rallied in suppprt of the heartbroken father.
“There is not a heart in Bray that you beautiful baby boy hasn’t touched this week,” wrote one.