Tallaght, Dublin: Vigil held for siblings killed in attack

People gathered at the family's home in Tallaght on Monday evening to release balloons in memory of the victims

A vigil has been held for three siblings who died after they were attacked at their Dublin home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Eight-year-old twins Chelsea and Christy Cawley and 18-year-old Lisa Cash were killed in the Rossfield estate in Tallaght.

On Monday evening a large crowd gathered outside the house.

Balloons were released and candles were lit in memory of the trio as songs were played.

Gardaí (Irish police) are continuing to question a man in his 20s over the deaths.

Teenager Lisa Cash had been looking after her brother and sister when a man known to them entered their home and killed them.

Ireland's police chief has described the killings as dreadful and traumatic.

Twins Chelsea (left) and Christy Cawley died after what gardaí described as a "traumatic" incident

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the incident had had a profound impact on both the community in the area and the police force.

Lisa Cash, Chelsea and Christy Cawley's 14-year-old brother is still in hospital with serious injuries.

Their mother, who is in her 40s and was not injured, has been released from hospital and is being supported by her family, gardaí said.

From the scene: BBC News NI reporter Sara Girvin

The Rossfield estate in Tallaght is usually a hive of activity but Monday afternoon was different.

People came and went quietly from the house where Chelsea, Christy and Lisa were killed.

Leaving flowers and messages, shedding a tear, sharing a hug.

Just around the corner, Chelsea and Christy's schoolmates returned for their first day back after the summer break but the twins were not there.

Family members have put up a sign outside the house: "Our three angels. Our best friends. We will never forget."

Hearts in this community are broken, and hurt like this will take a long time to heal.

The man who was arrested remains at Tallaght Garda Station and gardaí said they were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

It is believed a man travelled to the house in south-west Dublin by taxi before becoming violent.

Gardaí from the armed support unit used tasers and sprays to subdue the man, according to Irish national broadcaster RTÉ.

Lisa Cash, who also died, was a sister of twins Christy and Chelsea Cawley

Commissioner Harris said that gardaí responded quickly when neighbours reported the incident.

He commended the officers involved, saying they showed great courage, fortitude and professionalism.

A post-mortem examination of Lisa Cash has been conducted, with further examinations on the bodies of Christy and Chelsea Cawley expected to take place on Monday.

'A great big sister'

The principal of St Aidan's Community School, Kevin Shortall, paid tribute to former pupil Lisa Cash, who completed her final exams last year.

"The amount of teachers that reached out yesterday with stories about Lisa - she was so highly regarded and a lovely young girl," he told BBC News NI.

Mr Shortall said Lisa was a "great friend, great big sister" and would be fondly remembered.

He said the school had put a critical incident plan in place and would provide spaces for people to "be together and grieve".

Dermot Richardson, a Sinn Féin councillor for the area, described the incident as "horrendous".

"This is raw, this is a really tragic incident that happened in Rossfield," he said.

He said that despite not being physically injured in the attack, the mother of the children would have "wounds that will never heal".

'Words are inadequate'

Priest Father Bill O'Shaughnessy said it was a "truly shocking moment" for the Tallaght community.

Friends of the family comforted each other at the vigil for the victims on Monday evening

"The fact that three young people were taken in such a violent manner is nothing short of shocking," he said.

"I was there yesterday morning getting ready for mass in St Aidan's church, just as the news was filtering through at that stage.

"The people who were coming to church were really finding it hard to understand what had happened.

"We're very much a parish and an area at the moment which is suffering in terms of trying to understand and reeling from the shock, particularly the neighbours - it's extraordinary."