'Don’t take your eyes off children': Urgent water safety plea following latest tragedy
Water Safety Ireland issues urgent plea as six juveniles die in drowning incidents across Ireland in just six weeks
The latest swimming tragedy in Ireland has sparked an urgent safety appeal from Water Safety Ireland ahead of the peak summer season.
As primary schools prepare to close for the summer holidays over the coming week, Water Safety Ireland is urging members of the public to exercise increased caution around water.
The plea has been issued following the tragic drowning of another teenager on Friday night - the sixth drowning of an under-18 year old in just six weeks.
The boy, who has been named locally as 15-year-old Kofi Owusu from Dundalk in County Louth, was pronounced dead after his body was recovered from the river Nanny at Laytown, County Meath during a multi-agency search and rescue operation.
"We urge everyone - parents, carers, communities, and individuals - to talk about water safety before you even leave the house, especially during warm weather when more people are drawn to the water," said Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO of Water Safety Ireland.
"When you bring children or friends to a waterway, take a moment to visualise drawing an imaginary line on the ground - a clear boundary that must not be crossed until you’ve assessed the risks and had a real conversation about safety," he added.
Mr Sweeney says there are a number of simple things that should be done when planning to go in the water.
"Once there, swim within your depth, stay within your depth and don’t take your eyes off children — not even for a second. They need constant, uninterrupted adult supervision. That means active watching — not just being nearby. Talk to them about the importance of lifesaving equipment like ringbuoys — and why it’s crucial never to tamper with or misuse them. These are small actions — but they can make the biggest difference."