Schoolboy (14) killed in drowning accident named locally

The teenager passed away in Cork on Thursday afternoon.

The schoolboy killed in a drowning accident in Cork on Thursday (24 August) has been named as Jack O'Sullivan. The 14-year-old passed away after the incident that occurred in Passage West in Cork Harbour during the afternoon. Jack, who was from Deerpark in Cork City, got into difficulty shortly after 2.00pm. Emergency services rushed to the scene but could not save the teenager. The boy was reportedly swimming with his friends off a boat pontoon in the harbour before he disappeared. Gardaí confirmed his body was discovered shortly after 4.00pm the same day. "Following an extensive search by Gardai, the Coast Guard, the Irish Naval Service, and local fire and ambulance units, a body was recovered from the water at approximately 4pm," a Garda spokesperson said. Tributes have been pouring in since the news of the teenager's tragic death. Michael McGrath penned a tribute to the young boy and paid his respects to his family.

This is devastating news from Passage West. My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Jack O’Sullivan on his tragic loss. Another painful reminder of how precious and fragile life is. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam ?. https://t.co/SiyXaGT1yr

— Michael McGrath (@mmcgrathtd) August 25, 2023

"My heart goes out to the family and friends of young Jack on his tragic loss," the Finance Minister and TD for Cork South Central wrote.

"I’d like to thank all those in the emergency services who responded so quickly and did all they could to rescue Jack, and ultimately returned his body to his family." "Yesterday’s events are another painful reminder of how precious and fragile life is."

Jack was due to start his second year of school at Coláiste Éamann Rís next week. Read more:

• Teen dies in swimming incident in Cork