“IT’S OVER!”

Police have just dropped a devastating update in the heartbreaking case of 12-year-old Oisín Reddin and his father Wayne O’Reilly — and the words coming out are truly shattering.

After completing the post-mortem examinations, authorities confirmed the worst fears.

A bright young boy, full of life and loved by everyone who knew him… gone in the most unimaginable way. His father, the man who should have protected him, at the center of the tragedy.

The findings are described as “truly heartbreaking” — details the family and investigators are still grappling with. No more questions left unanswered… but the pain? It will never end.

Full details:

Gardaí have issued a formal update on the deaths of 12-year-old Oisín Reddin and his 48-year-old father, Wayne O’Reilly, confirming that post-mortem examinations have been completed and describing the findings as “truly heartbreaking” in a case that has devastated west Dublin communities and prompted renewed calls for scrutiny of family support systems.

The bodies were discovered on Thursday, January 9, 2026. O’Reilly was found first, shortly after 8:30 a.m., at a property in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot. Concerns for Oisín’s safety immediately followed, leading officers to his residence in Lindisfarne Grove, Clondalkin, where the boy’s body was located later that morning. Gardaí are treating the incident as a suspected murder-suicide, with O’Reilly believed to have been responsible for his son’s death before taking his own life at the separate location.

In an official statement released later that day, a Garda spokesperson confirmed: “Post Mortems on the remains of 12-year-old Oisín Reddin and 48-year-old Wayne O’Reilly have been completed. Results of the Post Mortems are not being released for operational reasons. Technical examinations at both domestic residences have been completed.” Family Liaison Officers continue to support the families of both individuals.

The refusal to publicly disclose specific post-mortem findings aligns with standard Garda practice in ongoing or sensitive investigations, particularly those involving minors and potential criminal proceedings that may never advance due to the suspect’s death. Sources close to the inquiry have described the overall circumstances as profoundly tragic, with the emotional weight falling heavily on surviving relatives and the local community.

Oisín, a student at Scoil Talbot Senior National School in Bawnogue, was remembered by family and friends as a “loving son” who will be “deeply missed.” A death notice issued by relatives described him as much-loved, with a private funeral planned for the coming days. Tributes poured in following the discovery, including a balloon release outside a family member’s home and vigils that drew crowds to honor the boy. Community members expressed shock and sorrow, with one relative telling media outlets, “We are lost,” and alleging that child protection services had failed to intervene adequately despite prior concerns.

Reports indicate the case unfolded against a backdrop of family tension. O’Reilly and Oisín’s mother had been involved in an ongoing custody dispute, with a hearing reportedly scheduled in the weeks following the tragedy. Relatives had expressed fears for the boy’s safety in the context of the legal battle. In October 2025, O’Reilly had briefly gone missing with Oisín, prompting Garda intervention. Armed officers raided a hotel room in Limerick where the pair were located, detaining O’Reilly and ensuring the child’s safety. During that incident, O’Reilly was found in possession of over €15,000 in cash believed to be stolen, and he reportedly made threats to harm himself and his son.

Those earlier interactions — including domestic issues reported in 2024 and 2025 — have fueled questions about whether more could have been done to safeguard Oisín. A family member claimed the boy had been “failed” by Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency, though no official findings have substantiated systemic shortcomings. Gardaí have not commented on whether prior reports triggered formal child protection referrals or risk assessments.

The tragedy has reignited broader discussions in Ireland about murder-suicides involving children, parental mental health, and access to support during high-conflict separations. Advocates, including relatives of other victims of similar incidents, have called the case an “act of betrayal” and urged government action to address violence against children in domestic settings. One mother whose own sons were killed by their father described the incident as part of a pattern that demands national attention and reform.

Oisín’s family has focused on remembrance rather than public criticism in the immediate aftermath. The private nature of the funeral underscores their desire for quiet grieving amid intense media coverage. Details of O’Reilly’s funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Gardaí emphasized that technical examinations at both scenes have concluded, signaling that the investigative phase is largely complete. With no living suspect, the case is unlikely to proceed to trial, though coroner’s inquests may follow in due course to formally establish causes of death.

The incident has left west Dublin reeling. Clondalkin and Ballyfermot, working-class suburbs with tight-knit communities, have seen an outpouring of support for the bereaved. Local schools offered counseling, and neighbors shared memories of Oisín as a cheerful, engaging child just beginning his second-level education.

For many observers, the heartbreak lies in the irreversible loss of a young life caught in adult conflict. Oisín Reddin, described as bright and kind, had his future taken away in circumstances that continue to defy easy understanding. His story — like others before it — serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of family safety nets and the devastating consequences when they falter.

As the Garda investigation winds down, attention turns to the living: a grieving mother, extended family, school friends, and a community searching for answers and healing. The police update may have closed one chapter, but the emotional aftermath will linger far longer.