LAST UPDATE | 18 Jun 2025

THE BOY WHO died yesterday after getting into difficulty while swimming at the River Barrow at Milford, Co Carlow yesterday has been named locally as Peter Byrne.

The 17-year-old’s body was recovered yesterday evening by the garda water unit after a search operation.

Multiple emergency service units responded to the incident yesterday, including gardaí, ambulance, fire service and the Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 116.

The deceased boy was from the nearby Carlow town and was a student at St Mary’s Academy CBS in Carlow. He was involved in the local sporting scene.

Local councillor Daniel Pender said that it is “a very sad day and a tragic incident”. 

“He only went out for a swim and now won’t be returning home,” he said, adding that he can “only imagine” what the boy’s family is going through. 

The river would be known locally as a dangerous spot for swimmers, but a serious fatal incident like that of yesterday evening has not occurred in recent years, Pender said.

It is understood that the deceased had been out swimming with a friend when the tragic incident occurred. 

His remains have been transferred to Waterford University Hospital, where a postmortem examination will take place.

A file is being prepared for the coroner at this time.