Mayor seeks HSE counselling for children in pool when boy drowned

A TOWN mayor has contacted the Health Service Executive to source counselling for children who were in a swimming pool when an eight-year-old boy drowned on Thursday.

Two investigations have been launched into how Isaac Agaba drowned in the public pool in Navan, Co Meath, where eight lifeguards were on duty.

With a Garda investigation continuing, the owners of the pool, Aura Sport and Leisure Management, yesterday began their own inquiry into the tragedy at the Aura Leisurelink facility just before 4pm.

Navan Mayor Joe O’Reilly said Thursday had been a family swim day when the children paid just €1 to go for a swim so there were a large number there. He said in a radio interview that he understood the little boy jumped into the deep end of the pool but did not re-surface.

It is understood the boy, a pupil at St Oliver’s National School at Blackcastle, Navan, was at the pool with his brother and sister.

The company issued a statement in which it said the facility was staffed at the time by eight fully trained and qualified lifeguards. It said visitor numbers were normal and the water facilities were operating at just over 60% of their capacity.

“The child was rescued from the pool by lifeguards who had observed him in difficulty,” a spokesman said. “He was attended to by lifeguards on the pool deck and the company’s emergency response plan was activated. Emergency services also attended the scene and removed the child to Navan General Hospital.

“The company has a detailed and comprehensive set of safety and emergency procedures in practice at all 10 of its centres in which all staff are fully trained,” the spokesman said. “Aura constantly reviews the safety procedures in operation at all of its centres. The company’s existing procedures employ international best practice.”

Yesterday the 25-metre pool was closed as the investigation continued and as a mark of respect.