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Killeavy community in Co Armagh rally in support of family after 10-year-old boy drowns at family home

Josh Hill on holiday with his mother Olivia
Josh Hill on holiday with his mother Olivia Josh Hill on holiday with his mother Olivia

A SOUTH Armagh community has been left "shocked and saddened" by the death of a 10-year-old boy in a drowning incident at his family home.

It is believed that Josh Hill drowned in a hot tub at the house in Carlingford, Co Louth he shared with his parents and older brother.

Gardaí were called to the scene yesterday morning and Josh was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where he was pronounced dead.

A garda spokesman said that a file will be prepared for the Coroners Court.

SDLP assembly member Justin McNulty, who is a family friend of the child's mother Olivia Mackin, who is originally from Killeavy in south Armagh, said the news had "shocked and saddened the whole community".

It is understood that Ms Mackin has lived in Carlingford for around a decade with her husband Peter Hill who is originally from England.

Mr McNulty said: "It's desperately sad for the family. I hope they can find the strength from somewhere to get through this.

"Words just can't express my sadness and the sadness of this community. I know the community will rally around as much as they can and they will come through this as a family.

"It is totally heartbreaking for them."

Fianna Fáil councillor Conor Keelan offered them his "sincere condolences" to the family following the "tragedy, which is the second in recent months".

A 14-year-old girl died after getting into difficulty in the water at Seapoint Beach near Termonfeckin in Co Louth on June 28.

The girl, who had been at the beach with friends, was recovered from the water and flown to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, but later died from her injuries.

It came just months after mother-of-three Ruth Maguire also drowned after going missing from her friend's hen night in Carlingford in the early hours of March 17.

The body of Ms Maguire, herself bride-to-be who was originally from Ligoniel in north Belfast but living in Newcastle, was recovered from the water between Carlingford and Greenore the following day.