Taoiseach pays tribute to Louth teen Kofi Owusu

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has paid tribute to 15-year-old Dundalk teen Kofi Owusu who died after getting into difficulty at Laytown Beach on Friday.

During an exchange at Taoiseach’s questions, Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said he wanted to pay tribute to the student, "Our condolences go out to his family and friends and to the wider community. We have all heard the tributes from Redeemer Celtic and in particular from Tomas Sharkey from Coláiste Chú Chulainn, the school he attended.

"We have heard of Kofi’s diligence, his leadership qualities and his friendship. A huge hole has been left. He was a spectacular footballer and basketballer. He was an all-round really, really good kid.

"This happened just a couple of days after the death of Izzy McCloskey and it highlights the dangers of the water and while we hope for a really good summer, it highlights the necessity that we have to ensure that everything that can be done is done in relation to information about the dangers of water because we have had too many tragedies across Ireland."

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In response, the Taoiseach said: "I join with you in offer sympathy to Kofi’s family and it is heartbreaking that any young person so talented and with so much to offer in life should die in such circumstances. You also mentioned Izzy McCloskey too.

"The National Emergency Forum did a lot of work on safety in the water in the last two years in terms of swimming in both rivers and the sea.

"Prevention is one of the most effective interventions in healthcare and public health messaging around accidents is a key dimension of that and a factor in terms of injury and death. Our sympathies go to all in the community."