This little girl will be laid to rest today – as Gardaí continue to question the man who is suspected of her murder.
Malika Noor Al Katib will be buried three days after she died following a stabbing incident at her home in New Ross, Co Wexford - in which her mother Aleisha was also injured. And the leading Islamic cleric in the south east – who knew Malika – paid a moving tribute to her yesterday.
Imam Rashid Munir, of the Al Munir Islamic Centre in Waterford, said: “She was not just a normal girl, she was an extraordinary child, full of life, looking for a bright future.”
Malika, who was just eight years old, died early on Monday morning after she was stabbed – when she went to protect her mother Alisha Al Katib, 31, who was being attacked by a knife-wielding man. Malika will be laid to rest at Kilbarry cemetery in Ballybeg, Co Waterford this morning – after a washing ceremony, part of her Islamic faith.
That ceremony will take place at University Hospital Waterford, where she lost her fight for life on Monday morning – after being stabbed at her home in New Ross shortly before midnight on Sunday. News of the little girl’s funeral arrangements were made public hours after a man was discharged from the same hospital – and arrested on suspicion of her murder. The man, who is a foreign national in his 30s, was being questioned over the murder of Malika in a Garda station in Co Wexford last night.
Gardaí can hold the suspect for up to 24 hours – after which they must either release or charge him. The man had been in hospital ever since the incident at Malika’s family home late on Sunday. Armed Gardaí found Malika seriously injured, while her mother Alisha also needed hospital treatment for stab wounds. The man also had knife wounds, but they were not serious and he was discharged from hospital just before lunchtime yesterday – when he was promptly arrested for murder.
Alisha, who is Irish born and a convert to Islam, was still receiving treatment last night but is expected to attend her daughter’s funeral this morning. Gardaí are still investigating what happened at the house on William Street in the town – but the Irish Mirror revealed yesterday that officers believe Malika suffered her fatal injuries when she rushed to protect her mother during a knife attack.
It's understood officers believe Malika, a student at the New Ross Educate Together National School, intervened when she realised her mother was in danger - and suffered at least two stab wounds. Paramedics and Gardaí fought to save her at the scene, before she was rushed to University Hospital Waterford, where she died in the early hours of Monday morning.
Gardaí yesterday confirmed a man had been arrested as part of the Malika murder probe. A spokeswoman said: “Gardaí continue to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the death of an eight year old girl following a fatal assault at a residence in New Ross, Co. Wexford on Sunday 1st December, 2024.
“The post-mortem examination which was conducted by State Pathologist, Dr. Sally Anne Collis took place yesterday, Monday 2nd December, 2024, the results of which will not be released for operational reasons.
“A male, aged in his 30s has been released from hospital and arrested on suspicion of Murder. He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in the Eastern Region.
“Investigating Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have any information on this fatal assault to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact New Ross Garda Station on 051 426 030, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station. This investigation is ongoing.”
Meanwhile, the Imam who is expected to preside over Malika’s funeral today has paid tribute to her. Imam Rashid, Munir of the Waterford-based Al Munir Islamic Centre, said she used to attend the mosque there.
He said: “She used to come to Al Munir Islamic Centre. She was just an extraordinary child. She was not just a normal girl, she was an extraordinary child, full of life, looking for a bright future.
"She was very smiley. She [had] a lot of interest in learning about Islam and learning about the religion. She was very good and steady. She wanted to be a good part of society. She always wanted to do something extraordinary but this thing happened."
And he said the entire community in the south east was horrified by her murder. Imam Munir said: “The whole community is heartbroken – it is very hard for everyone.
"They are all in pain, they are all in shock. What happened, that was unacceptable and it is heartbreaking. They all want to say a good goodbye to Malika. It's heartbreaking. The whole community, they are all in bits since this news broke yesterday. We are all heartbroken, the first couple of hours we could not really believe because personally I knew that girl.”
On Monday, New Ross Educate Together National School, where Malika was a student, said it had implemented its critical incident management plan – and was receiving help from health experts.
Principal Theresa White said: “We learned this morning of the death of a student who attends our school. This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with family and friends.
“The school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan and we are in receipt of support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). They have been with us all day supporting and advising teachers in their efforts to assist students at this time.
“Our teachers are helping students to deal with this tragic event. We will be sharing information with parents today around how they can support their children at this difficult time. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this difficult time.”
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