Water safety appeal issued as 78 people drowned last year, new figures show
Thirteen children drowned in Ireland over the last two years including nine young people in 2023 and four last year, provisional figures show.
It comes following the deaths of three boys under the age of 18 across a two-week period.
Seven-year-old Alan Singh died after getting into difficulty in the sea at a beach in Co Sligo on Saturday afternoon.
His school principal Mary Curley described Alan, who was from Ballisodare, as a 'much-loved pupil' who was 'always smiling, warm, and full of kindness'.
"He was friendly, hardworking, and a talented young artist who brought joy and creativity to our classrooms. His gentle nature and positive spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.'
Last weekend there was a double tragedy in Co Donegal when schoolboys, Emmanuel Familola (16) and Matt Sibanda (18), died after getting into difficulty in the water at Ned's Point, Buncrana, last Saturday.
The young boys were playing football on the shoreline and had entered the water to retrieve the ball when the tragedy unfolded.
Water Safety Ireland is appealing to the public to exert caution near water, following the death of 56 men and 22 women last year, according to provisional figures.
"78 people drowned in 2024, the same as in 2023 which is thankfully lower than the ten-year average of 112 but still a tragic unnecessary loss of life,' said the Chair of Water Safety Ireland, Clare McGrath.
"Ireland is currently enjoying warmer weather, however our waterways are still quite cold. Please don't underestimate the risk of cold water or overestimate your ability to swim in cooler open waters that have hidden currents.
"Swim in areas that are traditionally known to be safe, stay within your depth and supervise children closely.'
A total of 1,124 people drowned in Ireland in the last ten years, a period when 1,515 died on Irish roads.
Drowning accounted for 43pc of this combined total of 2,639 road and water deaths.
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