Ardoyne: Woman arrested over murder of baby in Belfast

Teddy bears and flowers were left at the scene on Wednesday morning

A 29-year-old woman is being questioned over the murder of a baby in north Belfast.

The woman is also being held over the attempted murder of another child, who is in intensive care in hospital.

Police were called to the house at Brompton Park in the Ardoyne area shortly after 20:00 BST on Tuesday and found the two injured children.

Despite the efforts of the emergency services, the baby was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Wednesday night, police said their investigation into "last night's tragic events is progressing".

They added that a post-mortem examination was expected to take place on Thursday.

Det Ch Insp Millar said: "A 29-year-woman who was also in the house has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and remains in custody at this time.

"Our thoughts are with the baby's family, who are being supported by family liaison officers.

"While our investigation is at any early stage, I can confirm that at this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in relation to this tragic death."

He thanked the local community for their support and appealed for anyone with any information to contact police.

'Shock and numbness'

John Finucane, the MP for the area, said it was "difficult to comprehend" what had happened.

North Belfast MP John Finucane said it was difficult to comprehend what had happened

"It's a very tight knit community, houses are very close to each other, neighbours are very close to each other," he said.

"I think as the area tried to get to grips with what was unfolding before them, I think shock and a certain sense of numbness just befell everybody.

"It compounds the hurt when we're dealing with somebody so young.

"Our thoughts are obviously hoping to be very positive for the other child, who's critical.

Emergency services were called to a house in Brompton Park shortly after 20:15 BST

"Again we just need to now allow the authorities to come in and do their process and carry out their investigation."

'So shocking'

SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon said that the "highly distressing" events had shocked the local community.

She said: "It is important that the PSNI are given the space and full cooperation to fully investigate this terrible incident.

"Our thoughts are with the wider family and we want to thank those residents who assisted the police at the scene tonight."

Politicians have urged people to allow the police to carry out their investigation

People Before Profit councillor Fiona Ferguson said the news was "truly devastating".

"A wave of shock began in Brompton Park last night and spread out across north Belfast," she said.

"After something so shocking, community solidarity, community support, rallying around each other is going to be absolutely paramount.

"I saw a number of people say last night that this is a community that's resilient and certainly this is a community that has seen a lot and has an incredible amount of community spirit.

"It's undoubtedly the case that they're going to need that now in terms of moving past this."