Vigil held for boy found dead in car in Waterford

Garda members made desperate attempts to revive the child but neither they nor the paramedics could save him

Matthew Healy was was found dead in a car in Waterford on Friday.

A vigil was held in Waterford city this evening in memory of a six-year-old boy who died in hospital in the early hours of Friday morning after he was found unresponsive in a car in Rathmoylan Cove on the outskirts of Dunmore East.

Matthew Healy, who attended Faithlegg National School in Cheekpoint was found unresponsive and wet in the back seat of a car that was parked at a laneway at Rathmoylan Cove outside Dunmore East in Waterford.

A woman in her late thirties was arrested at the scene. 

She is being detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a garda station in Co Waterford and can be held for up to twenty-four hours.

The woman was in a distressed state when she was arrested. She was in her nightclothes and told officers about the boy in the car. Medical attention is being given to her while she is in custody.

Garda search close to the scene in the Rathmoylan area of Dunmore East, Co Waterford, where they are investigating the death of a six-year-old boy whose body was found in a car. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The outcome of a postmortem examination which is being carried out at Waterford University Hospital will determine the course of the investigation. 

The scene was forensically and technically examined and investigations are ongoing.

It is understood that responding gardaí and paramedics made valiant efforts to resuscitate the boy. When the ambulance arrived onsite, Matthew was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2am on Friday.

Counselling support will be provided to classmates, friends, and family of Matthew. A National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist was onsite at the school yesterday to advise management and staff on how best to assist pupils in the wake of the tragedy.

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, Dr Alphonsus Cullinan, said that they were gathered in mourning for Matthew Healy “whose life was completed in such short a time.” 

He told members of the Congregation that they were humbly entrusting Matthew to the Lord.

“Grant that he may flourish forever young in the happiness of your heavenly home," Bishop Cullinan said. 

"We pray that our prayers will in some way touch the hearts of all who mourn this night. That they may receive peace and consolation and strength.” 

Bishop Cullinan said that he was heartened by the turnout at the 7pm vigil at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Barrowstrand Street.

“I hope and pray that it is a comfort to all of the family (of Matthew) and all of you here to gather and pray because I think that is the best thing to do," he said. 

"We think of all of those tragedies which we have lived through in our country of late. And we turn to the Lord together.

"I am so encouraged to see so many of you here as we pray together. There is a great strength in that. There is a great beauty in that.” 

Bishop Cullinan asked all those gathered to join him in praying the five mysteries of the rosary to Mary Mother of God.

“That she will put in a good word for all of Matthew’s family at this time. And indeed all of us. We ask Mary to help us.” 

Bishop Cullinan also offered a special prayer that all those who mourn will have “the strength to carry on, to give us consolation and to give us pace."

Attendees sang an emotion-filled rendition of “Amazing Grace” at the end of the forty-minute vigil.

'There is a dark cloud over the area'

Frank O’Neill, who lives in the Rathmoylan area, told the Irish Examiner the community is in “utter shock”.

He said: “It’s unimaginable. Everyone is deeply upset and there is a dark cloud over the area. Our thoughts and prayers are with the child and his family.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Pat Fitzgerald said he knows the child’s extended family “very well”.

“We are lost for words”, he said. “The community is in deep shock and disbelief. My thoughts are with the child’s extended family. He has a very big family in Waterford and I know many of them.”

Meanwhile, the Principal of Faithlegg National School, Kieran O’Sullivan described the death of Matthew as a tragedy.

"We learned on Friday morning of a tragic incident involving a beloved member of our school community," he said in a statement to RTÉ. 

"The gardaí are currently involved. This is a terrible tragedy for the families, our school and our community.

"Our school has implemented its Critical Incident Plan and NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service) psychologists are supporting our school.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved and affected by this tragedy."