Senator Sharon Keogan has called for the country to “undertake a serious national discussion on murder–suicide”, in the wake of the tragic murder of twelve year-old Oisin Reddin last week. His father, Wayne O’Reilly (48) – who died by suicide on the same day – is the only suspect in the child’s murder.
And she added that it was her belief that a “harmful mindset” which rationalised that “if I cannot have them, then you will not either” has “contributed to numerous deaths in this country over the years”.
Gardaí are reported to believe that the boy lay dead for a number of hours in his bed before his body was discovered at his home in Clondalkin last Thursday morning. His father was observed leaving the house shortly after midnight on that night.
Wayne O’Reilly had been detained several times under the Mental Health Act – and had previously been investigated for allegedly making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to his son.
Senator Keogan said that there was a need for “expanded interventions and mental health services” – and said she was “deeply concerned that “once again” the state agency Tusla was involved.
“It is important that we undertake a serious national discussion on murder–suicide,” the Independent Senator said.
“The ending of marriages and relationships is profoundly traumatic, and expanded interventions and mental health services are essential for men experiencing the emotional loss of custody or access to their children,” she said.
“The harmful mindset that “if I cannot have them, then you will not either” has contributed to numerous deaths in this country over the years,” she added.
“I do not intend to single out men in this post; however, the perpetrators of these murders are predominantly male.,” the Independent Senator said.
“I am deeply concerned that, once again, Tusla—the agency responsible for protecting children and families—is involved. As I have previously stated, I believe this organisation is structurally failing those most in need,” she added.
Senator Keogan said it was her belief that “this could have been a preventable tragedy, with family support and early intervention”. She added that her “thoughts and prayers for those left behind dealing with this tragic loss. May their souls Rest in Peace.”
Tusla has been repeatedly criticised in recent months regarding what are seen as failures in the state’s protection of vulnerable children.
The remains of Daniel Aruebose, a 7-year-old boy living in Donabate, were discovered after he had been missing for at least 3 years – but the search was only triggered by the investigation of a child benefit claim.
Similarly, Kyran Durnin in Dundalk was reported missing in 2024 but Gardaí believe he may have been killed more than two years – when he was just seven years-old – before the authorities noticed.
And a ‘Protecting against Predators’ report from UCD has raised alarm after it outlined that vulnerable children in care in Ireland are clearly being targeted for sexual exploitation and abuse by “gangs of predatory men”.
In addition, Tusla was forced to apologise for the statement it issued after a 10 year-old girl in their care who was allegedly subjected to a serious sexual assault at the Citywest IPAS centre last October. The statement which said the girl had “absconded” while on a trip with staff in the city centre was described as verging “on victim blaming”.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror last week, a “distraught family member” of young Oisin Reddin said they believed that Tusla had failed the little boy.
“Tusla failed him. They both went missing before and that was a red flag,” the family member said.