A seven-year old boy has died after getting into difficulty in a swimming pool at a hotel in south east county Clare.

Garda sources confirmed the boy was rushed by ambulance from the Leisure Centre at the Lakeside Hotel & Leisure Centre, which overlooks the picturesque towns of Ballina and Killaloe, Saturday afternoon.

The boy was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where he was later pronounced dead.

In response to queries, a Garda spokesman said: “Gardaí and emergency services responded to an incident at a swimming pool on a premises in Killaloe 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”

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.

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 offered: “God love them, it is every parent’s worst nightmare.”

The hotel could not be reached for comment.