Hundreds to attend Waterford vigil tonight for boy (6) who died in tragic incident

Matthew Purcell-Healy (6) was found unresponsive and soaking wet in the backseat of a car parked at Rathmoylan Cove just outside Dunmore East in Waterford in the early hours of Friday morning.

He died despite heroic efforts by Gardaí, paramedics and doctors to save him.

Gardaí stressed that the nature of their investigation will be determined by the results of a post mortem examination conducted at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).

Toxicology results are awaited and may take several days to process. These will be central to confirming the precise cause of death involved.

Initial theories are that the youngster may have drowned or asphyxiated. Detectives have not released the preliminary findings of the post mortem examination for operational reasons.

A 38 year old woman - who was known to the child - was arrested by Gardaí at the scene and taken to a Waterford Garda Station for questioning.

The woman, who was also soaking wet at the scene, is now receiving medical and psychiatric support.

The little boy was located at midnight on Thursday after a frantic search by Gardaí following an alert from residents at Rathmoylan Cove that a woman was in a very distressed condition and screaming that something had happened to a child.

Rathmoylan is located south of the popular Waterford tourist resort of Dunmore East and about 20km from Waterford city.

Local householders reported a woman dressed in pyjamas was in a very distressed state shortly shortly before midnight knocking on doors and windows and screaming for help.

Gardaí raced to the scene and, after a search of the local area, the six year old boy was discovered unresponsive in the back seat of a car parked on a narrow access road to Rathmoylan Cove.

The woman was arrested at the scene and is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. She can be held for questioning for up to 24 hours.

She was given emergency medical treatment at the scene and is now receiving both psychiatric and medical support.

Desperate efforts were made at the scene by two paramedic units to assist the child who had a weak pulse.

The youngster was rushed to University Hospital Waterford (UHW) where, despite desperate efforts by doctors to stabilise the child's condition, the boy was pronounced dead shortly after 2am.

Gardaí sealed off the scene to allow for a full forensic and technical examination of the area and the vehicle where the little boy was found.

A major search was also launched along the access laneway and nearby fields.

The boy's death is being treated as suspicious given the circumstances involved.

The woman arrested is from the south east and hails from a family widely known and highly respected within business circles.

Gardaí are now trying to confirm the last known movements of the child, the woman and the car involved.

Matthew was a student at the local primary school and full counselling supports are now being provided by the school and Department of Education for all classmates, friends and families.

One local said there were very emotional and upsetting scenes at the Faithlegg premises with parents and students openly weeping as news of the tragedy spread.

The little boy adored sport and had only recently joined local football club Park Rangers.

Club officials were too upset to comment on the tragedy.

Locals have described the woman as extremely quiet and private. She lives in Waterford city while Matthew's father hails from Cork.

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr Alphonsus Cullinan, said the entire community was left reeling by the tragedy.

Such is the impact on the Waterford community that Dr Cullinan has organised a special prayer vigil for this (Saturday) evening.

"Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the young child during this incredibly difficult time," he said.

The prayer vigil will be held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Barronstrand Street in Waterford at 7pm.

Hundreds are expected to attend to demonstrate local solidarity with the heartbroken family involved. “The loss of a young life is a profound tragedy that deeply affects us all. As a community, it is important for us to come together in prayer and reflection to offer comfort and strength to the family and friends of the young boy who has left us too soon.”

"The tightknit community in Dunmore East will be devastated by this heartbreaking loss. The death of a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this deeply tragic loss. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the young boy as they navigate through this time of immense grief and sorrow."

Local resident Frank O'Neill visited the Rathmoylan scene and described the child as "a little angel."

He said everyone was shocked by the tragedy and heartbroken for the family involved.

Dunmore East-based Sinn Féin Cllr Pat Fitzgerald said he knows the area well.

“It’s a country, rural community, just living out on the coast there. It would be sparsely populated. There are little clusters of houses. It’s a very, very, unfortunate thing to happen. God help those people."

“It’s a beautiful little place. It’s idyllic. It’s coastal Ireland with little cottages and chalets. It’s real rural Ireland, rural Waterford.”

Councillor Fitzgerald said there was a “sense of shock” in the locality and “it’s a terrible thing to happen in any community.”

“We don’t know what happened. Our thoughts go out to the family. It’s the last thing I would have expected to hear in that community."

“It’s the worst news I could have heard this morning, or anybody around could have heard. It’s the last thing we expected. This is very, very, unusual to say the least."

Councillor Fitzgerald said there was a “sense of shock” in the locality and “it’s a terrible thing to happen in any community.”

“We don’t know what happened. Our thoughts go out to the family. It’s the last thing I would have expected to hear in that community. It’s the worst news I could have heard this morning, or anybody around could have heard. It’s the last thing we expected. This is very, very, unusual to say the least. Anybody would be shocked, when they hear something like this,” he added.

Fr Richard O’Halloran is the parish priest of St Mary’s Church, Carbally.

“Having spoken to a number of people already this morning, most certainly people are all shocked to hear it.”

This is the second incident in recent times involving the tragic death of a young child that the locality has been dealing with, he said.

Father O’Halloran recently spoke at the Funeral Mass of Kobi Macharia Dooly, whose death in London last December sent shockwaves through the community in Tramore and beyond.

The Dooly family brought Kobi back to Tramore to his paternal home, before his burial in England.

“It’s another death of a young child in obviously distressing circumstances. The news is hitting hard. People are somewhat shocked.”

"It is a country area that is “out of the way”.

“There’s a small little beach there. That’s really it. There’s a little walkway off of the beach around the coastline a little bit as well. If a number of cars went down there, they would nearly be in each other’s way," he said.

“Locals know it well, and would use it for swimming and for other activities. If you weren’t from the area, you probably wouldn’t find it,” added Fr O’Halloran.