A community in Co. Kildare is in mourning today following the untimely passing of a 13-year-old boy last night.
According to emerging reports, the teenager passed away after attempting to save two friends from drowning in the Lyreen River in Maynooth, Co. Kildare yesterday afternoon.
It has been established that three teenagers, one girl and two boys, were in the vicinity of the river near the Kilcock Road when one member of the group fell into the water.
In an effort to rescue his friend, the 13-year-old boy jumped into the river, but tragically found himself in difficulty as emergency services rushed to the scene of the incident.
Having been transferred to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, the brave teen unfortunately lost his fight for life and was pronounced dead some time later.
It is understood his two friends are currently in a stable condition and the gardaí have launched a full investigation of the incident which local priest Fr. Liam Rigney has described as a "terrible tragedy".
A postmortem will be conducted on the teenage boy today.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this devastating time.
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