A three-year-old boy from Co Tipperary has died in hospital after getting into difficulties in a hotel swimming pool in Co Cork.
Ronan Kennedy, from Templederry, Co Tipperary, was staying with his parents, John and Bridget, and two brothers at the Quality Hotel at Redbarn near Youghal.
It is understood he was in the swimming pool area when he was spotted floating face down in the water shortly before 2pm on Monday. Two lifeguards recovered him from the pool and performed CPR.
The emergency services were alerted and a local doctor also attended to the boy before a decision was made to move him to hospital in Cork.
The Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford, Rescue 117, was tasked and landed near the hotel and airlifted the boy, accompanied by the doctor, to Cork University Hospital.
He underwent emergency treatment at CUH but was later transferred to Temple Street Children’s University Hospital in Dublin, where he was treated in the intensive care unit.
Family break
He died at noon at the hospital, where his parents had maintained a bedside vigil. It is understood that the Kennedy family had travelled to Youghal on Sunday for a three-day break and were due to return home to Templederry today.
Prayers were said yesterday at local Masses in Templederry where Ronan’s father is an active member of the local GAA club.
Meanwhile, the Quality Hotel in Youghal yesterday issued a statement in which they expressed their sympathies to the Kennedy family.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that he has since passed away. The hotel management and staff are very shocked and upset by this event and their thoughts are with the little boy’s family,” the statement said.
“All relevant authorities have been notified and a full investigation is currently under way. A counsellor has been made available for guests and staff.”
