Funeral details announced for ‘popular’ teen Max O’Connor who died in Grand Canal swimming tragedy in Kildare
Max O'Connor. Photo: rip.ie
Flowers left near the scene at the Grand Canal in Co Kildare
A teenage boy who died on Saturday after getting into difficulty while swimming in the Grand Canal in Co Kildare has been named locally as Max O’Connor.
Max (15), from the village of Newcastle, in south-west Dublin, has been described as a “well-liked” and “popular boy” who had a lot of friends in his home area.
Max is survived by his parents Brian and Dolores, siblings Lee, Emma, Ava, Milly, Libby, Mark and Dwayne, and niece Esme and nephew Luan.
The funeral will take place at 11am on Tuesday, May 21, in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin Village.
It will be followed by burial in Newlands Cross Cemetery.
Cllr Trevor Gilligan told the Irish Independent that the “tight-knit community” of Newcastle is “devastated” and “shocked” by the tragedy.
"My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this terribly sad time… He had his whole life ahead of him,” Cllr Gilligan said.
He added that Max’s group of friends are terribly saddened and upset at the tragic news of his death.
It is understood that he was attending Coláiste Chilliain secondary school in Clondalkin.
At approximately 5.40pm on Saturday May 11, gardaí became aware of a person who had gotten into difficulty in the water in the Grand Canal between Ardclough and Celbridge in Co Kildare.
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A number of emergency services attended the scene and the body of the 15-year-old boy was recovered from the water a short time later.
The local coroner had been notified, and arrangements were being made for a post-mortem examination.
Today's News in 90 seconds - 13th May 2024
The Irish Independent understands that no foul play is currently suspected and the incident appears to have been an accident.