Six-year-old found dead in car as football club pays heartbreaking tribute

10 February 2024 , 15:53

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Matthew Healy was found unresponsive in a car on Friday

Tributes have been paid to a six-year-old boy who was found dead in a car on Friday.

Matthew Healy had recently started playing for football for the under 7s Park Rangers AFC, his local side near Ballymacaw, Ireland. The club said on Facebook today: "It is with great sadness that we learned about the tragic passing of one of our players this week," said the club on Facebook.

"Matthew was a member of our under seven squad. He will be sadly missed by teammates and coaches. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time."

A prayer vigil is set to take place on Saturday at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford. The vigil was announced by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore.

The vigil will also offer prayers for the grieving family and the wider community. The prayer vigil is scheduled to take place at 7:00pm at the Cathedral on Barronstrand Street.

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An officer walks towards a Garda car parked close to the scene on Friday (PA)

Bishop Cullinan said: "The loss of a young life is a profound tragedy that deeply affects us all. As a community, it is important for us to come together in prayer and reflection to offer comfort and strength to the family and friends of the young boy who has left us too soon.”

An Garda Siochana said they were investigating "all of the circumstances" and explained they were awaiting the results of a postmortem, Irish Mirror reports.

“Gardai in Waterford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a young boy aged six whose body was found in a car at Dunmore East, County Waterford shortly after midnight this morning, Friday February 9.

“A woman in her late 30s was arrested at the scene and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in County Waterford.

“The body of the deceased has been removed to Waterford University Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The scene is preserved for forensic and technical examination. The local Coroner and Office of the State Pathologist has been notified. The outcome of the post-mortem examination will determine the course of the investigation. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Andrew E Quinn