Young boy dies after getting into difficulty in water off Co Sligo beach

By Rebecca Black, PA

A young boy has died after getting into difficulty in the water off the west coast.

Gardaí said they and other emergency services attended an incident at Lissadell Beach in Co Sligo on Saturday afternoon involving a young child.

A Garda spokesperson said: “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 incident came just one week after two teenagers died after getting into trouble in the water in Co Donegal.

Emmanuel Familola (16), originally from Nigeria, and Matt Sibanda (18), originally from Zimbabwe, had been playing football in Buncrana on Saturday when they went into the sea after a ball and got into difficulty.

Emmanuel was laid to rest following a funeral in Buncrana on Saturday morning.