'A truly awful tragic incident': Boy who died after getting into difficulty in water at Passage West named locally

A TEENAGE boy who died this afternoon after getting into difficulty in the water at Passage West has been described as a “popular young man” and someone who would “light up a room” following his passing.

Jack O’Sullivan, 14, went missing in the water while swimming with his friends this afternoon.

A major search operation involving the Coast Guard and Rescue 117, Crosshaven RNLI, the Irish Naval Service, local fire service and ambulance units, gardaí and Mallow Search and Rescue ensued when the alarm was raised.

The search was stood down at approximately 4pm when Jack’s body was recovered from the water.

Independent councillor Mick Finn, who knew Jack and his family very well, paid tribute to the teenager following his tragic passing as someone who had a “great personality” and would “light up a room”.

“People were drawn to him because he was just such a real good character and from a very good family,” Mr Finn said.

“He was a popular young man with his life in front of him. Everyone is just absolutely devastated.” Jack, who lived with his family in Deerpark, played with St Finbarr's GAA club and had been due to start in second year at Coláiste Éamann Rís.

Speaking to The Echo, Independent councillor Marcia D’Alton said the Passage West community had been left reeling following the devastating incident.

“The Passage West community is heartbroken for the boy’s friends who were with him and for the boy’s family,” she said.

“The emergency services were outstanding. They were at the scene within minutes, by land, by water and by air.

“Several local people tried to help with the search, some with their boats.

“We’re all so thankful that the boy’s body was found.

“His loss is horror enough for his family and friends; to have had that horror prolonged without closure would have been unbearable,” she continued.

Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley said that, as a mother to a 14-year-old boy herself, she was “heartbroken” for the family.

“It is an awful tragedy that has happened today…. my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.” 

Her party colleague, councillor Seamus McGrath, echoed these sentiments.

“This is a truly awful tragic incident,” he said.

“My heartfelt thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends. The entire local community is deeply saddened with this dreadful news.” 

In a statement following the incident, a Garda spokesperson said that, shortly after 2pm, Gardaí and other emergency services “received reports of a male youth in his teens who had gotten into difficulty in the water at Passage West”.

“Following an extensive search by Gardaí, the Coast Guard, the Irish Naval Service and local fire service and ambulance units, a body was recovered from the water at approximately 4pm.

“The body will now be taken to Cork University Hospital where a post-mortem examination will be arranged. Garda enquiries are ongoing,” the spokesperson continued.

Update:

The body of a boy aged in his teens has been recovered following a major search and rescue operation in Cork this afternoon.

A Garda spokesperson told The Echo that, shortly after 2pm this afternoon, Gardaí and other emergency services received reports of a male youth in his teens who had gotten into difficulty in the water at Passage West.

“Following an extensive search by Gardaí, the Coast Guard, the Irish Naval Service and local fire service and ambulance units, a body was recovered from the water at approximately 4pm,” the spokesperson said.

The body will now be taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) where a post-mortem examination will be arranged.

The spokesperson said that Garda enquiries are ongoing.

Earlier:

An extensive search and rescue operation is underway in the Cork Harbour area this afternoon for a person who has gone missing in the water.

The individual, who The Echo understands is a boy, entered the water in Passage West and did not resurface.

Crosshaven Coast Guard in addition to crew members from Crosshaven RNLI are on scene in the area as is helicopter Rescue 117 and divers from Mallow Search and Rescue.