The bodies of three children have been found at a home in Dublin, with police describing their deaths as "unexplained".
A woman in her 40s has been taken to hospital and a house has tonight been sealed off by police.
All the children, two boys and a girl, are believed to be under the age of 10, but their exact ages have not been released.
It is understood a note was found at the scene, according to Dublin Live.
The publication added that Gardai believe the children were drugged or poisoned - although it won’t be known for sure until an examination takes place.
In a statement Gardai [Irish Police] said: "Gardai are currently attending the scene of an incident at a domestic house in Newcastle, Co. Dublin.
"The bodies of three children, two boys and a girl, have been discovered.
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"Gardai are currently investigating the circumstances of their unexplained deaths.
"A female in her 40s has been taken to Tallaght Hospital."
Police were called at around 7pm.
Detectives are not believed to be looking for anyone else in relation to the children's deaths.
The children were found in a house in Parson's Court - a small housing development.
Councillor for the area Emer Higgins described the events as an "unimaginable tragedy".
"My thoughts are with everybody impacted," said the Fine Gael representative.
"This is a really tight-knit community, it's a small area, it's a quiet area and it's just unthinkable that something like this could be happening on our doorstep.
"It's so tragic. It's unbelievable that three young people's lives could be cut short like that, in what seems to be a particularly tragic case."
A number of relatives of the family arrived at the grisly scene and looked distraught and ashen-faced as they spoke to detectives.
One neighbour who did not want to be identified said: “I only found out five minutes ago after my brother rang because it was on the news.
“I was oblivious [because we live in the corner] so I didn’t know anything. “
Another neighbour had visited the woman and said they were “trying to piece it together ourselves”.
She added: “I have kids upstairs, she has kids next door.
“I was actually was worried because she has three kids as well and I didn’t know who it was.
“It doesn’t seem real. I’ll be honest we’re shaking.
“I don’t know anything yet and it hasn’t sunk in because I didn’t know about it the last two hours.
The two friends said the family moved into the estate about a year ago.
The second local woman said: “I don’t think we’d know them to see them because our children are younger as well.
“It’s a quiet estate.
“I think it’s an understatement to say we’re shocked.
“I’m sure more details will emerge in the morning but I think tonight everybody is just like...I can’t believe it’s in our doorstep.”
An incident room has been set up in Clondalkin Garda Station, with investigators appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
