Boy (7) dies following swimming pool incident in Clare

Michael Bolton

A seven-year-old boy has died following an incident at a swimming pool at a premises in Killaloe, Co Clare.

Gardaí and emergency services responded to the incident at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

The boy was transported from the scene to University Hospital Limerick, where he later died.

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

It is understood the boy, who hails from the nearby parish of Clonlara, had attended a birthday party at the hotel, which is located 24km from Limerick.

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.

The pool at the hotel’s leisure centre was immediately closed.

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

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

The hotel could not be reached for comment.

Additional reporting: David Raleigh