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TRIBUTES HAVE BEEN paid to a young Longford teenager who drowned yesterday following an incident on the River Shannon.
The boy – who has been named locally as Damola Adetosoye – got into difficulty while swimming at Harbour View in Termonbarry in Roscommon. It is close to the Roscommon/Longford border.
Gardaí said that they were called to an incident shortly after 5pm. Emergency services as well as members of the garda sub-aqua unit attended the scene.
Damola was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was brought to Roscommon University Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out.
Tributes
Damola was a member of the Under 16 team with Clonguish GAA Club at Newtownforbes, Co. Longford.
The team posted on its Facebook page about the tragedy last night.
“The Club has been deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Damola Adetosoye which occurred this evening following a tragic drowning accident in Tarmonbarry,” the club said.
Damola was a member of our U16 team and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this very sad and difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Damola was also an active member of the Attic House Teen Project Longford, which provides a drug and alcohol free space for teenagers.
The Project released a statement following his death saying it was deeply saddened at the news.
“It is with deep sadness that we learned of the tragic loss of Damola Adetosoye. On a day that started out as fun in the sun with friends turned to tragedy,” the organisation said.
Damola was described as a “great soccer fan and a powerful respectful player” for the Attic House team. He was involved in the team’s victory in the Roscommon Cup.
“Our hearts are very heavy tonight and our thoughts and prayers are with Damola’s mum Helen, brothers and sister at this very sad time,” the Project said.
To all Damola’s wide circle of friends proving his popularity we embrace you all in your grief.
Damola was also a student in Templemichael College in Longford.
The Project said it would be open throughout the week for all young people wishing to meet with volunteers and staff.
“Damola a champion in heaven,” it said.
Gardaí are investigating the incident.
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I feel so sorry for the family, friends, but when are we in this country going to promote swimming lessons, water safety as much as we promote GAA, football.
So sad. A young man from an immigrant family who had obviously integrated well and will be missed by his community. Gone too soon. RIP.
@Deborah Behan: is the immigrant family necessary?
@Deborah Behan: very subtle Deb, this about a young life being lost, not about his background, personal circumstances. Crass, very crass.
I should have said in my earlier comment. How many towns in Ireland have a swimming pool. There are 2 in my town. One is in a hotel & the other is part of a leisure center. There should be a public pool in every town where you can pay 2 or 3 euro to go on a daily bases.
@Gareth Fitzpatrick: bit harsh there Gareth….
@Gareth Fitzpatrick: so the entire country should be put on hold until we address and solve only the issues you deem worthy?
@Gareth Fitzpatrick: so true..
@Deaglán MacThóirdealbaigh: not really
@Gareth Fitzpatrick: knobjockey you are – community facilities are also vital to a community; don’t be so full of your own adequacy
Eternally grateful to Darren and other chap for pulling me out of Tarmon 30 years ago, literally on my last breath. So sorry for this young man…
Very sad.
Rest in Peace.
May he rest in peace..
The council should never have abandoned the pool that provided so many years summer’s of free fun, safe/safer swimming and cooling off just a hundred meters from where this kid was at at the time of this tragedy happening. Of course I’m not saying the longford council are at fault especially as the kid was old enough to know better but with the money’s longford council are receiving from the centre parks build they would have no excuse to argue why they can not repair said pool for the people and children of all those who used that pool for so many a year gone before.
@Michael Mannion: The swimming pool was on the Roscommon side and it was more a paddling pool than a swimming pool.
This was just a tragic accident and nothing else and my heart goes out to his friends and family.
@bings great point I never looked at it that way.
Sporting clubs and youth organisations are commendably helping children from immigrant families to grow up into active citizens in a developing society. Whether young people can swim or not, they should be made aware that freshwater in rivers and lakes is cooler than sea water along the coasts. Even the toughest swimmers can get an unforeseen attack of cramps.
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