A quiet morning in West Dublin was shattered by a horrific discovery on Thursday, January 8, 2026, as police uncovered the bodies of a father and his young son in a suspected murder-suicide that has left a community reeling.
Grim Discoveries Across Two Locations
The sequence of events began when emergency services received a call to a domestic residence in Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot, at approximately 8:30 am. There, they discovered the body of Wayne O'Reilly, 48.
Following urgent enquiries, Gardaí proceeded to a second address just 15 minutes away in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin. There, they made the devastating find of Oisin O'Reilly, aged 11. It is believed the young boy died from asphyxiation. The investigation suggests Wayne O'Reilly took his own life after the incident at the Clondalkin home.
A Community United in Grief and Shock
The scene in Clondalkin was one of profound sorrow as the child's body was removed at around 3:20 pm in front of heartbroken neighbours. The Garda Technical Bureau conducted a forensic examination, with sections of the road cordoned off.
Local Councillor Francis Timmons expressed the collective anguish, stating the communities of Bawnogue and Clondalkin were in "shock and disbelief". He extended his thoughts to the boy's school friends struggling to process the loss of their classmate.
A close friend of Wayne O'Reilly, speaking anonymously to the Irish Mirror, described the father as a skilled mechanic who ran a car sales business. "He absolutely doted on the little boy," the friend said, revealing that Wayne's mental health had declined in recent years. "None of his friends saw this coming at all. Everyone is shocked."
Investigation and a Troubling History
In an official statement, Gardaí confirmed they are "investigating all of the circumstances" surrounding the two deaths. Both scenes remain preserved for forensic analysis. The Coroner and State Pathologist have been notified, with post-mortem examinations to be arranged.
Adding a layer of tragedy to the case, it was revealed that both Wayne and Oisin had been reported missing to Gardaí in October 2025, triggering a nationwide alert before they were later found safe. Authorities are not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident, which is being treated as a murder-suicide.
The investigation continues under a Senior Investigating Officer as a community mourns an unimaginable loss.
