Toddler drowns in accident

GARDAÍ are investigating the death of a toddler in a drowning incident in Co Waterford.

It is understood that the two-year-old boy wandered into the River Blackwater on Monday morning. His family, from Clonmel, are members of the travelling community and were staying near the river with other families at the time.

Gardaí in Waterford confirmed yesterday that the child was pronounced dead at the city’s Regional Hospital just before 1pm on Monday. A postmortem was later carried out.

A spokesman said that while the Gardaí were investigating the incident, it appeared that it was a tragic accident.

It is understood that the area where the family were staying in Cappoquin was not an official halting site but was an area traditionally visited by Traveller families.

Local councillor Kevin Wilkinson said that death had been a tragic accident.

“When I heard it, my heart broke,” he said.

Gardaí said yesterday that they would not be releasing the child’s name.