Sinnott 'heartbroken' after death of son

Former Ireland South MEP Kathy Sinnott has spoken of her “total heartbreak” at the tragic death of her son, Kevin, who it is believed may have drowned as a result of suffering cramp.

The 22-year-old South Catholic University (SCU) student drowned in a swimming accident outside Atlanta, Georgia in the US on Monday night.

Arrangements are now being made to bring his body home to Cork.

Disability campaigner and mum of nine, Kathy, who immediately flew to the US on hearing the news has spoken of her shock.

“I’m heartbroken, we are all so shocked. He was such a wonderful boy, so full of life. It is hard to believe it,” she said.

Kevin, who went swimming with five of his friends in a lake near his college on Monday night, may have suffered cramp because of pockets of freezing water in the lake.

Ms Sinnott said her son had swum in this lake many times before but had struggled this time.

“It seems the surface of the water can be warm but underneath can be very cold due to thermal layering,” she said.

Ms Sinnott said the divers who went in to retrieve Kevin’s body from about nine metres of water had suffered cramps from the pocket of cold water.

“We think Kevin was half way across the lake and may have slipped under the water,” she said.

Ms Sinnott was being comforted in the US last night by two of her sons and family members who have travelled from both Chicago and Manassas, Virginia, to support her at this traumatic time.

The Sinnott family said they were overwhelmed by messages of support and sympathy from all around the world.

The former MEP requested that people keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.

A special tribute page has been set up on Facebook in honour of Kevin, with poignant messages being left by fellow SCU students.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper.