‘His kind heart endeared him to everyone’

A HEARTBREAKING tribute has been paid to the young boy who tragically died after getting into difficulty in a hotel swimming pool in Co Clare.

Shay Lynch’s school said the youngster, 7, will be “sadly missed” after his tragic accident at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre, in Killaloe.

The Clare youngster was first-class pupil at Scoil Seanain Naofa in Clonlara.

In a touching tribute, school principal Donnchadh Kelleher said: “Our school community has experienced the tragic death of our beloved pupil, Shay Lynch. Shay is a much loved 1st Class pupil in Scoil Seanain Naofa.

“His bright smile and his kind heart endeared him to everyone in our school community. He will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Tania and James, his sister Abi, the extended family and his wide circle of friends.

“Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated. Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan.

“We are liaising with the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) to ensure support structures are in place to help our school community cope with this tragedy.

“We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time. Thank you.

“Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out today.

The boy was rushed to University Hospital Limerick after the tragic incident, however he was sadly pronounced dead.

It is understood that a family friend had been confirmed earlier in the day and the two families were attending a celebration together in Killaloe when the tragedy happened.

Gardai said emergency services were alerted to the incident shortly before 3pm yesterday.

Condolences offered

The Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre management offered deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of the young boy.

In a statement they said: “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our lifeguards, team members and the emergency services who did all they could in responding to this incident.”

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.”

‘Devastated’

“The whole community here is devastated by this awful tragedy.

“On behalf of the entire community of Clonlara, the NS community, his classmates, teachers, I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to his parents Tania and James, his sister Abi, his grandfather Jerome and the extended family on the tragic loss of Shay.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris also expressed his sadness following the tragic incident, calling it “absolutely heartbreaking”.

Posting on social media, the Fine Gael leader said: “I know people right across Ireland are keeping this family and the community of Clonlara in Co Clare in their thoughts and prayers at such a sad and difficult time.”

Killaloe Fianna Fail Councillor Tony O’Brien said it was a “very tragic and awful incident”.

‘Tragic incident’

He told Clare FM: “Any time a young child goes out to play and doesn’t come home, it leaves a really dark cloud over a community.

“It’s really a tragic incident. Our thoughts, prayers are with the family and all the child’s relations and friends at this awful time.

“I think it’s one of our great traits in Ireland, the support coming from the community at times such as this, as awful as they are, it does mean something.

“Whilst there’s a dark cloud over the entire community and the parish of Killaloe and Clonlara this morning, and there will be for days to come, we have a care to support and help in whatever way we can, the family of the young child.”

Probe

In addition to the gardai probe, the Health and Safety Authority is conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.

In response to queries, a Garda spokesman said: “Gardai and emergency services responded to an incident at a swimming pool on a premises in Killaloe, Co. Clare, shortly before 3pm on Saturday, April 20th, 2024.”

“A 7-year-old boy was transported from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where he was later pronounced deceased.”

“The local coroner has been notified, and arrangements are being made for a post-mortem examination”.

‘Parent’s worst nightmare’

It’s understood the boy was recovered from the water unconscious and efforts were desperately made to try and save his life at the poolside.

Garda sources said they were treating the boy’s death as a “tragic accident”, and that foul play was not suspected.

Local people expressed their condolences for the boy’s family.

One member of the community broke down in tears and offered: “God love them, it is every parent’s worst nightmare.”