Gardaí are treating as "a tragic incident" the death of an eight-year-old boy whose body was found in a house on the outskirts of Charleville, north Co Cork, this morning.
Gardaí went to the house at Harrison Place in the town after receiving a phone call at around 10am.
The boy, who has been named as Anthony Ward, was found in bed at the family home.
He is understood to have died in the early hours of this morning.
The boy's mother, Diane, who is in her early 40s, has been taken to hospital in Cork. Gardaí found her by his side in a distressed state.
A post-mortem examination is to be carried out to determine the exact cause of death but it is understood Anthony did not die of natural causes.
He had been due to return to Newtownshandrum National School this morning.
The HSE said it would be conducting a review of its involvement with the family.
Local parish priest, Canon Sean Cotter said the tragedy had stunned the local community.
“Everyone was very disturbed and upset when they heard the news – it’s a huge shock and we prayed with the family today that their grief and pain be healed.”
Neighbour Liam Shine described Ms Ward as a lovely neighbour and her son as a normal eight-year-old who was full of energy.
Mr Shine said: "Anthony would always be out playing in the garden or riding his bike. He was a handsome little lad with short brown hair coming down the sides.
"He was always very well presented. You could tell he was well looked after."
Gardaí went to a house at Harrison Place after receiving a phone call. Image: Google Maps
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