A young boy has died after getting into difficulty while swimming off Ireland’s west coast, marking yet another heartbreaking water-related tragedy in recent weeks.
Emergency services responded to an incident at Lissadell Beach in County Sligo on Saturday afternoon. Gardaí confirmed that the child, a young male, was in serious condition when he was airlifted by the Irish Coast Guard’s Rescue 118 helicopter to Sligo University Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he later passed away.
A Garda spokesperson stated:
“The male child was airlifted by Rescue 118 to Sligo University Hospital in a serious condition. He has since passed away. A file will be prepared for the Coroner’s Court.”
The boy’s identity has not yet been released, and no further details were immediately available. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out in the coming days, with a full report to be submitted to the Coroner.
This latest tragedy comes just a week after the deaths of two teenagers in County Donegal, highlighting growing concerns around water safety across Ireland as summer approaches.
On Saturday, 16-year-old Emmanuel Familola and 18-year-old Matt Sibanda drowned after entering the water off the coast of Buncrana. The pair had been playing football with friends when a ball went into the sea. In an attempt to retrieve it, both boys got into difficulty and were unable to make it back to shore.
Originally from Nigeria and Zimbabwe respectively, both teenagers were well-known and well-liked members of the local community. The town of Buncrana remains in mourning. Emmanuel was laid to rest on Saturday morning following a funeral service attended by grieving family, friends, and classmates.
Their deaths have prompted renewed appeals from Irish Water Safety and local authorities for increased vigilance near coastal waters and inland lakes. The organisation has urged parents and guardians to supervise children at all times and to be cautious of rip currents, even on seemingly calm beaches.
According to Irish Water Safety (read more about water safety here), drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among children and teenagers in Ireland, particularly during the warmer months when recreational swimming is more common.
The Government has invested in a number of public safety campaigns to reduce such tragedies. However, the deaths in Sligo and Donegal underscore the continued need for public awareness and improved safety infrastructure at popular swimming locations.
Lissadell Beach, known for its scenic views and shallow waters, is a popular family destination during the summer months. While lifeguards are deployed at some beaches in County Sligo during peak periods, not all stretches of coastline are monitored, leaving gaps in emergency response times.
In the wake of these recent events, local representatives have called for a review of lifeguard coverage and for enhanced signage warning of potential hazards, especially at beaches not formally designated for swimming.
Councillor Marie Casserly of Sligo County Council extended her sympathies to the family of the young boy and called for action:
“This is a terrible tragedy, and my thoughts are with the family during what must be an unimaginably difficult time. We need to ensure that our beaches are as safe as possible and that families are aware of the risks that even shallow water can present.”
With temperatures expected to rise and schools soon breaking for the summer holidays, authorities are urging the public to prioritise safety in and around water. An Garda Síochána, along with Irish Water Safety, has launched a renewed public safety campaign titled Respect the Water, which provides guidance on safe swimming practices and how to respond in emergencies.
The name of the young boy in Sligo has not yet been released, pending notification of extended family and completion of formal procedures.
As communities in both Sligo and Donegal mourn the losses, the country is once again reminded of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of Ireland’s coastal waters — even in the calmest of settings.
