The man suspected of killing two women and two young children at a house in Newcastle West in Co Limerick is in hospital undergoing treatment to a hand wound.

Gardaí have suspended questioning of the man, 31, when he was transferred to Cork University Hospital. It is understood he suffered an injury to his hand before he was arrested, which required plastic surgery.

An investigation has been launched involving up to 50 Gardaí, including interviewing witnesses and door to door inquiries. A technical examination has commenced at the house that will take some days.

Officers in Newcastle West said they are renewing their appeal for information and are asking for anyone who was in the Hazlegrove Estate on the 15th or 16th of November, to contact them.

A spokesman said anyone with information about the incident should contact the incident room Newcastle West Garda Station on 069 20650. The spokesman added that to date Gardai have received valuable assistance from the wider community in the area.

Reports this morning suggest that the man took a knife from the house in Meadow Court that was used in the killing.

The bodies of four people, including that of a three-year-old boy and a five-month-old baby girl, were found near Limerick yesterday. The post mortem examinations have been completed and it has been established the victims died as a result of stab wounds.

Gardaí revealed yesterday that a 31-year-old man was arrested while drinking in a pub in Kilkee, Co Clare, late on Tuesday afternoon following a widespread search by gardaí in counties Limerick and Clare.

The bodies of the two women and young children were taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for post mortem examinations.

Chief Supt David Sheahan described the incident as the worst crime to take place locally in recent history: "Something like this happening in Newcastle West is unreal," he said. "This has been a very traumatic incident, not only for the people in Newcastle West, but for the family members of the deceased people involved in this investigation. I want to offer our sympathies to those people and to make sure that we're thinking of them in our prayers."

Chief Supt Sheahan said that the bodies of the two women were found in a downstairs room, while the bodies of the two children were found in an upstairs bedroom.

Gardaí are appealing for information, particularly from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at or near the house in the past two days.

They can be contacted at Newcastle West Garda Station on 069-20650 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111.

(DW/BMcC)