A man has admitted to the murder of his young daughter and the attempted murder of her mother. Mohammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi, aged 35, confessed to killing eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Kattib and trying to kill her mother, Aisha Noor Al Kattib, at their residence in New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, on December 1, 2024. The child sustained fatal injuries during the assault on both her and her mother.
Emergency medical personnel swiftly responded to the incident and made efforts to save Malika’s life. Despite their endeavors, Malika passed away after being transported to University Hospital Waterford. During the court proceedings today, prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland mentioned that Malika’s mother is currently in a fragile state and is expected to provide a victim impact statement in December.
As reported by the Irish Mirror, defense counsel Michael Bowman stated that all relevant details were explained to the defendant. He noted that an interpreter was available, although Al Tamimi was proficient in English. Bowman also requested continued medical attention for Al Tamimi while in custody.
In court, Al Tamimi confirmed his identity and pleaded guilty to each charge presented. The defendant has been detained pending sentencing on December 15, which will also include the hearing of the victim impact statement. Al Tamimi is facing a potential life sentence.
Following Malika’s tragic death, New Ross Educate Together National School, where she was a student, activated its critical incident response with assistance from healthcare professionals. School Principal Theresa White expressed deep sorrow over the events, extending sympathy and thoughts to the affected family and community.
The school promptly initiated their Critical Incident Management Plan and received support from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to aid teachers in assisting students during this distressing period. Teachers are guiding students through coping with the tragedy, while parents will be provided with information on how to support their children during this challenging time. The school has requested privacy during this difficult phase.