Coastal town mourns young victim of the sea

It has become a familiar scene this week — children playing and splashing in the sea as the sun shines. But yesterday, in one popular seaside resort touched by a drowning tragedy, the mood was different, the laughing muted.

The people of Youghal in East Cork said Thursday night’s accident which claimed the life of 10-year-old Kyle Roche has cast a long, dark shadow over the town.

One local man, who was strolling on the town’s pier — where medics fought desperately to resuscitate the young boy — said people watched in shock as the rescue unfolded. “But when they realised it was a child, they began to weep. It was dreadful,” he said.