A postmortem is to take place today on an eight-year old boy who drowned in a public swimming pool in Navan, Co Meath yesterday.
Gardaí said the eight-year-old was participating in a public swimming session in the Aura Leisurelink at about 3.20pm when he “got into difficulty”.
An ambulance was called and paramedics attempted to resuscitate the boy before he was taken to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The State Pathologist’s office was informed and gardaí were conducting an investigation.
In a statement today, Aura Sport and Leisure Management expressed its "shock and sadness" at the incident which claimed the child's life.
"The child had been using the centre’s 25-metre pool during public swimming hours. The facility was staffed at the time by eight fully trained and qualified lifeguards. Visitor numbers at the pool were normal and the water facilities were operating at just over 60 per cent of their capacity.
"The child was rescued from the pool by lifeguards who had observed him in difficulty. He was attended to by lifeguards on the pool deck and the company’s emergency response plan was activated. Emergency services also attended the scene and removed the child to [hospital]."
The company said it was "Ireland's largest and most experienced leisure management company".
"Yesterday’s tragic events have caused profound shock throughout the company which has been operating the Navan facility in conjunction with Meath County Council since 2000."
It said it had a "detailed and comprehensive set of safety and emergency procedures in practice at all 10 of its centres in which all staff are fully trained".
"Aura constantly reviews the safety procedures in operation at all of its centres. The company’s existing procedures employ international best practice. "
Aura said the Navan facility had been closed yesterday to facilitate investigations by the company and gardaí.
The centre remained closed today as a mark of respect to the family concerned.
"This tragic incident is felt throughout Navan and the company wishes to extend its sympathy and condolences to the family concerned."
A staff member pinned a notice to the closed gate of the leisure centre early this morning to inform the public it would be closed today.
The popular public pool and gym just off the Windtown Road on the outskirts of Navan town is usually well supervised by lifeguards and other staff members.
A single bunch of flowers was pinned to the closed gate today and there were just two vehicles in the car park.