Arrest of woman following Charleville death

Gardaí have arrested a woman in her 40s, following the death of eight year old Anthony Ward in Charleville.

She is being detained at Mallow Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and can be held for up to 24 hours.

A post mortem examination has now been completed on the body, who was found dead at his home yesterday.

Assistant State pathologist Dr Margot Bolster carried out the postmortem at Cork University Hospital today. It is believed he died as a result of asphyxia.

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Updated at 04.09.2012 18:50

It had been reported earlier that the death of a young boy whose body was found this morning in Charleville was being treated as suspicious, but Gardaí have now confirmed that they are treating the boy's death as a tragic incident. 

The body of the child remains at the scene while a 43-year-old woman believed to be the boy's mother has been taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment. The Divisional Crime Scene Investigators will examinerthe scene later today and the services of the State Pathologist have been requested.

A preliminary post mortem is expected to take place at the house at Harrison's Place before the body is removed from the scene for a full post mortem to establish how the boy died.

Updated at 03.09.2012 15:10

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An eight year old boy has been found dead at Harrison Place in Charleville, Gardaí have confirmed.

The boy was found at 9.30am. Gardaí have sealed off the area in question and an adult in the house is also being treated for injuries. Gardaí are understood to be treating the death as suspicious.