Gardai believe an arson attack led to the deaths of two children in a car fire in Co Westmeath on Friday afternoon.
Two-year-old Michael and five-year-old Thelma were in the vehicle with their mother, Lynn Egar, at the time.
The boy and girl lost their lives in the incident in Multyfarnham, while their mother remains in hospital after being seriously injured.
The Irish Times crime correspondent, Conor Lally, says Gardai are conducting a criminal inquiry and are trying to find out who was responsible.
"A Garda technical examination of the scene has been carried out, and the vehicle was also taken away to be examined.
"The family's home in Rathowen in Co. Westmeath was also sealed off, and it's undergone an examination over the weekend as well.
"Obviously, the enquiry is still in the relatively early stages, but based on the evidence they have now Gardai believe the fire was started as a result of an arson attack."
