Tag Archives: tragedy

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 …

There is widespread shock in the north Clare community as news of two deaths emerged last evening. The deceased couple, named locally as Joe Collins and Claire Collins, were found at a house in Kilnaboy in unexplained circumstances. The couple were well known in the wider area. Speaking to The Clare Champion, local community advocateand former President of the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation (INTO), Declan Kelleher said, “The community is absolutely stunned and shocked at what has happened. They were two lovely people that everybody knew and nobody can understand what happened. And the community want to show their solidarity and support to the family at this time – that is the focus. “Everyone is well and truly shocked, baffled and horrified and all they do is try to be as supportive as they can for the familyin these awful sad circumstances.” Mr Kelleher added you couldn’t meet two nicer individuals and that they were both “exceptional” people. Speaking on …

  The body of a young man has been recovered from the River Shannon in Killaloe on Wednesday evening following a major multi-agency search and recovery operation. It is understood a 19 year-old man from Limerick City fell from a jet-ski into the water, drifted for a while and then went underwater close to the ESB Mill Yard near an area known locally as Between the Waters. There are unconfirmed reports that other people on the jet-ski managed to swim ashore to safety. The young man was recovered by the Killaloe Ballina Search and Recovery Dive Unit at 6.45pm and was pronounced dead at the scene. Following early enquiries, An Garda Síochána are currently treating this matter as a tragic accident. Killaloe Coast Guard was tasked at 5.05pm on Wednesday afternoon and launched two vessels -a D-class and Rib in the lake at around 5.25pm. Two ambulances from the National Ambulance Service arrived to the incident – one remained Between …

  A major search and recovery operation is underway in Killaloe after a young man fell from a jet-ski into the River Shannon and failed to come back up to the surface. It is understood the alarm was raised on Wednesday afternoon at about 5.20pm when a man, who is believed to be from Limerick City fell into the water just off an ESB building a short distance from Killaloe Bridge. Killaloe Coast Guard arrived quickly on the scene and launched a vessel on to the water near an area known locally as Between the Waters, which was cordoned off from vehicular traffic to facilitate the arrival of a Clare Fire Services fire tender and fire truck with local fire service personnel. Two ambulances arrived to the incident – one remained in a car parking space Between the Waters and the other vehicle was stationed near Ballina public toilets for a period of time. The Rescue 115 helicopter from Shannon …

Last weekend there were poignant scenes in New Quay, North Clare, when relatives and friends gathered to remember the nine children and teenagers, who died in a drowning accident 50 years ago. See this week’s Clare Champion, for an interview with Kieran McInerney, who survived but who lost his brother Francis and his best friend Seamus Gaynor in the tragedy. Kieran spoke about his recollections of that awful day on June 29, 1969. Pictured are some of the scenes from last weekend’s moving ceremony, while there are more in this week’s Clare Champion.

EVEN in the darkest days a gesture of kindness can bring some light. An Ennistymon family who tragically lost their daughter last year, are helping to make this Christmas a little bit brighter for others in an amazing act of generosity. Amy Dutil-Wall and her partner Vincent Wall from Ennistymon have endured the deepest of tragedies with the loss of Estlin Luna just before her fourth birthday in a car crash last year that also left Vincent fighting for his life. In honour of Estlin, the family have decided to donate some Christmas gifts to two worthy young girls around her age. Amy explains that she got the idea after seeing a number of offers of help to those in need on the Clare Free to a Good Home site. “It was something I was thinking of doing for a while, to give a gift in honour of Estlin and I thought why not this year. The holidays can be …

THE two boys who drowned while swimming at a disused quarry near Knockanean yesterday have been named as Jack Kenneally and Shay Moloney. The 15 year olds got into difficulty while swimming yesterday afternoon and they were pronounced dead after being brought to University Hospital Limerick. Ennis Rugby Club posted pictues of the young men on its Twitter account this morning and it paid tribute to the two. The club’s tweet said, “Our brothers and arms Our warriors when the going got tough. Our leaders when the pressure came on. Our pride when they took the field. Our joy when they lit it up off the field. Our devilment when it all got too serious. Our gentlemen always. Our terrible loss.”

KILKEE was in shock and mourning on Friday following news that a local man, in his mid 50s, had died following a fall while taking down Christmas lights. The accident happened in the early afternoon. The man was airlifted to University Hospital Limerick where he passed away. He has yet to be formally named. However he was very well known in the community, particularly in sporting and business circles. He played football with St Senan’s Kilkee and was also a regular participant in the West Clare Mini Marathon, which was due to take place on Sunday but has been postponed as a mark of respect.