An eight-year-old boy has drowned in a swimming pool in Co Meath, it was confirmed tonight.
An investigation has been launched in to the death of the young boy who had got in to difficulties in a public pool at Aura LeisureLink in Navan at 4pm.
Gardaí said the youngster’s remains have been taken to Navan General Hospital, where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.
The pool is owned by Meath County Council and operated by Aura Sport and Leisure Management Ltd.
An Aura spokesman said staff on duty were shocked and he expressed his condolences to the dead boy’s family.
“A number of people were in the pool at the time during a public swimming session,” he said.
“The youngster was seen in difficulty in the water and he was removed from the water by a lifeguard who attended to him at the poolside.
“The emergency procedure was activated, the pool evacuated and emergency services notified.”
Paramedics tried to resuscitate the youngster before he was rushed to hospital.
The spokesman added: “The whole incident is a huge cause of shock and distress to the staff.
“The company would like to express its sincerest condolences to the family concerned.”
The pool will remain closed tomorrow while management and gardai examine the circumstances surrounding the drowning.
Aura said there were eight qualified lifeguards on duty around the poolside at the time.
The spokesman said while staff on duty are satisfied they did all they could, the investigation will take in to account all the practices and procedures at the facility.
PA