Northern Ireland

Health probe launched after child dies in domestic stabbing

Police remained at a house on the Bankhall Road, Magheramorne, Co Antrim yesterday after a child died in a domestic stabbing on Monday. Picture by Laura Davison, Pacemaker Press
Police remained at a house on the Bankhall Road, Magheramorne, Co Antrim yesterday after a child died in a domestic stabbing on Monday. Picture by Laura Davison, Pacemaker Press Police remained at a house on the Bankhall Road, Magheramorne, Co Antrim yesterday after a child died in a domestic stabbing on Monday. Picture by Laura Davison, Pacemaker Press

A HEALTH trust is understood to have launched an investigation following the death of a young child in a stabbing outside Larne on Monday.

The mother of the child, named locally as Fiona Magowan, and a second child were also being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast yesterday for stab wounds after the incident at a remote farmhouse by the shores of Larne Lough.

The incident happened at the rented farmhouse on Bankhall Road in Magheramorne, several miles from Larne, Co Antrim.

Ms Magowan, a nurse in her thirties, is understood to be being treated for self-inflicted injuries. She was in a critical condition on Monday evening.

The child who died is thought to have been aged around three, while the injured toddler is around 18 months.

A spokesman for the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said yesterday it is not releasing any updated information about Ms Magowan or the child's condition to respect the family's privacy.

The Irish News understands that a Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) into Ms Magowan's case has been launched by the health trust which covers her area.

The mother is living in an area covered by the Northern trust.

Asked about the SAI yesterday, a spokeswoman for the Northern Trust said: "As this is a live PSNI investigation the trust will not be making comment."

Under guidance from the Health and Social Care Board, adverse incidents include serious cases of public concern relating the unexpected or unexplained death of a health or social care user.

Police released no further details about the stabbing yesterday.

However, they confirmed on Monday it was a domestic incident and said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death.

"Police can confirm that an investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the death of a young child in the Larne area today," a spokeswoman said.

"A woman in her thirties and a baby are currently receiving hospital treatment for injuries.

"The investigation is at an early stage and police are currently not looking for anyone else in connection with the death."