THE community in a Clare village has been left stunned following the tragic death of a seven-year-old boy in a swimming pool accident.
The youngster passed away after getting into a difficulty while in a hotel swimming pool in Co Clare.
The incident occurred at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre in Killaloe.
It’s understood the boy, who hails from the nearby parish of Collera, had attended a birthday party at the hotel located 24km from Limerick.
The boy was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination was scheduled to take place today.
It is believed that a family friend had been confirmed earlier in the day and the two families were celebrating together in Killaloe at the time of the tragedy.
Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly before 3pm yesterday.
In a statement this afternoon, management at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre offered deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the young boy.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our lifeguards, team members and the emergency services who did all they could in responding to this incident,” the statement said.
As a mark of respect, the hotel’s leisure centre will remain closed for the coming days.
Michael Begley, an Independent councillor in Clonlara, shared his sympathies with the boy’s loved ones, family and friends.
He said: “People are absolutely shocked, it’s terrible, terrible altogether.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris also expressed his sadness following the tragic incident, calling it “absolutely heartbreaking”.
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