A relative of tragic baby Mia O’Connell has said that the family is devastated at the loss of the "beautiful little girl."
Mia, who was just three months old, died on Monday after being attacked by a dog while she slept at home in Clashmore, Co Waterford.
Speaking to Deise Today with Damien Tiernan on WLRFM, Diane said: "The first smile they were looking forward to, the first words and sitting up just everything every young mum looks forward to. She was taken away so devastatingly."
Diane also told of the shock of the incident and said: "It never happens to you, you know. It's always somebody else.
"And to have it hit home and just to see the tragedy and the loss on the faces... it's heartbreaking. Words can't describe."
She added: "How do you get over something like this?"
She thanked the community and people throughout Ireland who have supported the family as well as the first responders to the scene.
Diane said: "Everybody has been so good all over the country. And from me and all the family, we just want to say thank you.
"And to the paramedics who were on the scene and to the rapid response in Youghal that went, a massive thank you."
Diane added: "It shocked the community. This is when the country comes together and you can really feel the warmth."
Mia's parents had recently gotten engaged and were looking forward to their lives together with their daughter.
Diane said: "She was such a beautiful, beautiful little girl.
“She was always laughing and smiling and she brought so much joy to her parents, she was just a beautiful little girl and she is going to be so missed.
"Ella is in her 20s, she’s a first-time mum. She was looking forward to the first smiles and the first words and sitting up, everything a young mum looks forward to.”
Mia was pronounced dead at roughly 3.15am on Monday, having been rushed to Cork University Hospital by emergency services.
She was sleeping in her bedroom at the time of the attack and is understood to have sustained serious injuries to her head.
On Tuesday, Gardai said that a post-mortem has taken place adding that the results will not be released due to operational reasons.
Gardai said the focus of the investigation now is on the preparation of an investigation file for an inquest by the county coroner.
The pet, who was not owned by the family, had been staying at the house at the time of the attack. Gardai confirmed on Tuesday that the dog had been destroyed.
Cops said a family liaison officer had been assigned and they continue to support Mia's loved ones.
Mia's mum Ella, who is in her 20s, is not from Clashmore and is believed to have moved to the area recently from nearby Youghal in Co Cork.
Mia's father Rhys O'Connell, 32, who had recently become engaged to Mia's mum, was not at home at the time.
