The father of three-year-old Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, has told how the captain of their vessel had abandoned them only four minutes into their sea journey.

Aylan Kurdi's father has spoken publicly about his family's tragedy saying all he wants to do is "lie in a grave" with his family.

A Co Clare man, who has been moved by the images of the dead Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi, says he is willing to foster or adopt one of the refugees.

His brother Galip and mother Rhian also drowned.

Irish Examiner readers have been sharing their thoughts since the difficult decision was made to publish the deeply disturbing photograph of Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi’s body washed up on a beach in Turkey.