The father of an 11-month-old baby whose death last Sunday is at the centre of a garda investigation in Killarney has died.
Andrzez Piolunowicz (32) had been found seriously injured in the family’s apartment on Sunday and had been taken to Kerry University Hospital in Tralee.
Gardaí believe he suffered a number of self-inflicted stab wounds.
After his condition deteriorated on Tuesday, he was transferred to Cork University Hospital. Mr Piolunowicz was pronounced dead on Thursday afternoon, gardaí said.
The body of the baby, Karol Rozycki is being returned to Poland on Friday, on an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin. A preliminary post-mortem on the baby indicated he was smothered or had suffocated to death.
The child’s mother Anna Rozycka, through a friend, has thanked the airline and undertaker as well as the wider Killarney community for their support and kindness to her.
She has also thanked gardaí, the owner of the apartment complex where the family lived in Killarney town centre, and the interpreters and garda liaison officers and all others who have helped her.
Ms Rozycka raised the alarm at around 6pm on Sunday having returned from work at the Aghadoe Heights Hotel one of Killarney’s top hotels.
Gardaí said investigations were continuing and anyone with information should contact Killarney Garda station on 064-6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
Statements have been taken from a number of people and gardaí were also waiting to interview Mr Piolunowicz.
A special mass, celebrated in Polish and English for baby Karol and his family in Killarney’s St Mary’s Cathedral on Tuesday, drew a large attendance from both the Polish and Irish communities.