An 8-yr-old girl was among three people found dead at a house in Co Antrim yesterday morning.
Police remain at the scene in Ballymena where the bodies of a man, a woman and the girl were discovered, reports RTE.
The man and woman were originally from Poland, and it is understood the girl was born in Northern Ireland.
Police in Northern Ireland said they have a “strong hypothesis” that the deaths were a “double murder followed by a sudden death,” reports RTE.
Mid and East Antrim District Commander, Superintendent William Calderwood, gave an update to the media this afternoon.
He said officers were met with a “shocking scene” and confirmed those who died were a 41-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and an eight-year-old girl, reports RTE.
Superintendent Calderwood said police responded to a report of a sudden death at the house at 8.50am yesterday.
Officers attended along with personnel from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, who he said were “met with a shocking scene,” reports RTE.
He said specialist officers are supporting the families of the deceased and that police are liaising with the Polish Consulate.
“We would ask that the public avoid speculation while we make those who live outside Northern Ireland aware of their deaths,” reports RTE.
“I have spoken personally with each of the first responding officers. Early support has been provided and trauma focused care will continue,” he said.
He appealed to anyone with information, CCTV or dash-cam footage to contact the PSNI, reports RTE.
“Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could prove crucial to our investigation,” he said.
Honorary Consul for Poland in Northern Ireland Jerome Mullen said the community is absolutely shattered at the deaths of the family, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, Mr Mullen said it is the first time in 18 years of serving as Honorary Consul that he has experienced a tragedy like this among the Polish community in the North.
He said Poland has a full diplomatic mission in Belfast and that they will be providing full consular assistance to the relatives of those who died, reports RTE.
Toys could be seen outside the house today and a pair of pink and blue children’s sandals were drying on a washing line.
A murder investigation is under way, with police confirming the three people were related and found inside the property, adding there was no “ongoing risk” to the public and officers were not seeking anyone else in relation to the deaths, reports RTE.
Superintendent Calderwood said post-mortem examinations will take place in due course.
“As such, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time, and I would ask that the public avoid speculation,” reports RTE.
He added: “However, I want to reassure the public that we do not believe that there is any ongoing risk, and at this stage we are not seeking anyone else in relation to the deaths,” reports RTE.
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