Gardaí leading the investigation into the death of 16-year-old schoolgirl Ciara Gibbs in Co Kilkenny last weekend have been unable to interview her mother, who remains "seriously ill" for a fourth day in hospital.
The girl is believed to have drowned in a bath at her home at Killure, near Goresbridge. Gardaí are liaising with medical staff at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny city where Mrs Gibbs was admitted last Sunday after being found collapsed near the body of her daughter.
Although they believe Mrs Gibbs's version of events will be crucial to establishing the circumstances surrounding her daughter's death, they are also interviewing "several other witnesses" and assessing a number of statements that have been taken. Supt Aiden Roche at Thomastown Garda station said they had to "explore every avenue" in an effort to explain the events that led to the death of Ciara Gibbs.
Her body was discovered on Sunday morning last by her father and brother when they returned from an overnight trip. It is believed that the mother and daughter spent Saturday night alone in the house.
Supt Roche yesterday declined to speculate on the cause of the girl's death and repeated that he would not be releasing the results of a post-mortem at this time.
State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a post-mortem at Waterford Regional Hospital on Monday after conducting an initial forensic examination at the family home on Sunday afternoon. It is understood that further toxicological tests are being conducted.
The family home is still under Garda control. Supt Roche said he had appointed a member of the force to liaise between the investigation team and the family and is anxious to "hand back" the house as soon as possible. He also hoped the body could soon be released to the family. No funeral arrangements have been made.