Boy, 4, dies after incident at National Aquatic Centre

Investigation launched into child’s death after boy got into difficulty in children’s pool.

23/07/12 16,904 Views 26 Comments

Image: Haydn West/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Updated at 10am

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy has died following an incident at the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin yesterday evening.

An investigation has been launched into the child’s death.

It is believed the boy got into difficulty while he was in the children’s paddling pool at around 6pm. He was taken to Connolly Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Gardaí in Blanchardstown are appealing to anyone who was in or around the centre at 6pm yesterday to contact them on 01 666 7000, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.

In a statement today, CEO of the National Sports Campus Development Authority Barry O’Brien said that the “tragic incident” occurred in the AquaZone area of the National Aquatic Centre. This area is closed until further notice, but other areas of the centre remain open to the public.

O’Brien said that the NAC’s staff and management “extend their deepest sympathies to the family involved in this tragic incident”.

National Aquatic Centre

Flags flying at half-mast outside the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin today. (Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

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Joan Featherstone 23/07/12 #

11 233

That’s truly awful! RIP, poor parents.

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Jackie Mallon O Hare 23/07/12 #

5 129

Ah bless him how sad! A young life cut very short on a fun day out.

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Gerard 23/07/12 #

12 198

Shocking

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Rory Prevett 23/07/12 #

10 168

Rest in peace little man

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John Phoenix 23/07/12 #

6 112

Terrible. Kids and water need to be watched like a hawk. Here in Arizona a week doesn’t go by w/o some child drowning in their own pool.

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Barry Finnegan 23/07/12 #

2 57

Im very familiar with that pool and bring my 3 kids there regular my youngest is 2 and she mainly plays in that “paddling area” reported on the news to be where the tragedy occurred ..it’s so shocking to hear a 4 year old could lose his life there.. Rest in Peace little man

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- Martina Ní Wynner 23/07/12 #
  
  3 22
  
  I think it actually occurred in where the wave pool is, I bring the 3 kids too and watch them like a hawk but it only takes a few seconds. RIP the little guy
  
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louise 23/07/12 #

12 142

Sad

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Majella O'Dwyer Rock 23/07/12 #

8 92

Rip little angel

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Fergus McGrath 23/07/12 #

33 209

Some people still don’t realise kids can drown in an inch of water ! RIP poor youngster

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Sandy 23/07/12 #

7 57

I’m shocked. So sad.

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Sonia Mc Colgan 23/07/12 #

5 35

RIP wee man,my thoughts and prayers go out to the family!x x

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Shaunagh Ginty 23/07/12 #

25 104

As a mark of respect the whole centre should shut for a day. Poor little guy. RIP

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- Emma Byrne 23/07/12 #
  
  36 72
  
  i was just about to say that the centre should be shut how dare they keep it open the poor family rest in peace so so sad
  
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- Margaret Noonan 23/07/12 #
  
  20 55
  
  Shauna and Emma, For your information they have shut down the area where the poor lad lost his life. If you ever attended at the Aquatic Centre you would know that there is the arena pool on one side of the building and completely seperate and away from that are the Aquazone play pools. They cannot shut down the centre areas as there are hundreds of atheletes using the arena pool for the upcoming Olympics.
  
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Aarum 23/07/12 #

4 27

RIP little Logan my thoughts are with his family

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Paddy Mc Donnell 23/07/12 #

17 66

R.I.P little man.
Taughts and prayers with the family and friends in this very difficult time.

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Kim 23/07/12 #

6 29

I’ve just started to teach my son how to swim this week. This shocking news has given me shivers down my spine. How tragic, the poor parents. Thoughts are with them and all his family. RIP.

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Julie Oloughlin 24/07/12 #

1 12

A child has died here people no need for RED thumbs or bitching god rest the little fella from finglas his poor family need support not bitching

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Wexford Limo 23/07/12 #

56 102

God help the family what a nightmare. And shame on those who put red thumbs down on the posts just shows what sick twisted people are out there.

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- Paul Moore 23/07/12 #
  
  33 134
  
  @ Wexford Limo. I’ve learnt from experience that you don’t comment on the red thumbers it only encourages them. All I’ll say is that the planet would be a far better place without those sick twisted brain dead idiots. I have a 4 year old and I can only imagine what the family of this poor boy must be going through right now. I absolutely fail to comprehend what must be going through the mind of someone who would ‘red thumb’ a message of condolence to his family. It just beggars belief. I sincerely hope that such a tragedy does not hit their families. I reckon part of the reason for it is to get a reaction. But a person’s life must be particularly empty if they get their thrills in this way.
  
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- Paul Moore 23/07/12 #
  
  27 63
  
  I don’t want to hijack this comment thread on such a tragic story but just once I wish that someone would step out from behind the cowardly anonymity of the ‘red thumb’ and explain the reasons for their actions. I really am at a loss trying to understand the mentality of these people.
  
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Alex henriques 23/07/12 #

11 22

R.I.P young man…the center should be closed fo a while and a 4 years old needs attention 24/7…
my condolences to the family

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Rosie Hunwick 24/07/12 #

0 0

Rest in peace little fella http://soundcloud.com/rosemary-hunwick/arms-of-an-angel-for-the xxx

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Shaunagh Ginty 23/07/12 #

89 32

Margaret, it’s shaunagh not shauna. And I live In the area so have been there plenty if times. Closing the building to the public would not stop any training. It would be as a mark of respect. Greed should not be more important than a little human life. Maybe next time, don’t be so patronising. This is about a human life not people having no access to a swimming pool for one day. It’s about respect for his family and friends, and I’m sure the last thing the staff want to do today is have to work and pretend everything is ok. I also feel very sorry for the lifeguards. Their worst nightmare has come true.

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- Lauren Halligan 23/07/12 #
  
  12 60
  
  Shaunagh please take it easy, Margaret was just making a fair point that it might not be all the practical to close it down given the current extra needs athletes have. I’m sure the NAC are doing all they can to assist the little man’s family during this awful time, and I’m sure their staff are devastated too.
  
  RIP, such an awful thing to happen.
  
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Boy, 4, dies after incident at National Aquatic Centre