It has been established that the body of a man and a male child which were discovered yesterday afternoon in a Dublin canal were that of a father and a son who had been taking a short-cut across a stream in Ashtown after visiting relatives.
Sean 'Curley' Sweeney and his three-year-old son Tyler had been visiting relatives in Finglas when the decision was made to cross a stream in the Ashington Park area of Ashtown, Co Dublin yesterday.
A passerby immediately alerted the authorities when he discovered the bodies of the two family members in a ditch by Dublin's Royal Canal on Easter Sunday and several Garda cars, unmarked vehicles and ambulances arrived swiftly to the scene of the tragic accident.
Commenting on the tragedy which has left a community in mourning this Easter, local councillor Brendan Carr said: "Naturally, our hearts go out to the families involved in this incident."
"It is the second tragedy involving a child to occur in this body of water in recent years. It must now be a necessity to implement safety procedures and standards in this area," he said as he reflected on the impact the two tragic deaths have had.
Echoing the sentiments of his fellow politician, North Dublin TD Noel Rock said: "This is an unspeakably tragic incident. Easter is always a time for family, so to hear of someone passing away tragically on their way home is truly sad. My heart goes out to the family, and to those affected by this awful loss."
