A young boy of seven years lost his life in a tragic drowning incident at a hotel swimming pool in Co Clare, while he was celebrating at a friend’s Confirmation. The boy, Shay Lynch, hailed from the village of Clonlara, Co Clare. The unfortunate incident happened at the Lakeside Hotel and Leisure Centre in Killaloe.
The local police and the Health and Safety Authority have since commenced investigations into the matter that took place on a Saturday afternoon just before 3pm. A postmortem examination was scheduled for the following day, Sunday.
Unconscious when he was pulled out of the water, lifesaving measures were attempted at the poolside. Shay was then quickly transported to the University Hospital Limerick via ambulance, but was sadly declared dead shortly after his arrival.
Shay, a first-grade student at Clonlara National School, is mourned by his parents, James and Tania, and his elder sister, Abi.
The country’s Prime Minister, Simon Harris, conveyed his deepest sympathies, labelling the incident as “absolutely heartbreaking”. He stated on social media platform X that, during this challenging period, the whole Irish nation is keeping the victim’s family and the community of Clonlara in their thoughts and prayers.
The hotel issued a statement in which management expressed their condolence, stating that the leisure centre would remain shut in the upcoming days out of respect. They recognised the efforts of the team members, lifeguards, and emergency services in responding to the incident and thanked them.
Expressing his shock at the incident, local Independent councillor, Michael Begley, conveyed his sympathies to the young boy’s family and friends. He mentioned that the incident had particularly shaken the community given that many were celebrating the Confirmation.
The Clonlara GAA Club, where Shay was a valued team member of their under-nine squad, also paid homage to the former player in a statement, remembering him as a talented and cherished team member.