2-Year-Old Girl Dies After a Tragic Paddling Pool Accident in Ireland; Devastated Community Pays Tribute

Hannah Kealy Paddling Pool Accident Gaelic Athletic Association St. Joseph's Club Cloneen Hurling Club Laois Community of Timahoe Stradbally children drowning

By Camille Hutchison , Parent Herald Jul 31, 11:09 am

A two-year-old girl from Cremorgan, Timahoe, Co Laois, Ireland, died in a tragic paddling pool accident, and several devastated family and friends paid tribute.

Hannah Kealy was playing in the pool close to her home last Friday evening when the accident occurred. Emergency services and paramedics rushed to the scene. The young little girl was taken to the hospital by an ambulance, where medical teams worked tirelessly to try and keep her alive. Sadly, Hannah didn't make it as her body gave up. She passed away on Sunday surrounded by her parents, Marie and Dennis, and her sister Ella.

The tight-knit Laois Community of Timahoe and Stradbally was left heartbroken and devastated by her death and the circumstances surrounding it. They paid tribute to Hannah at a meeting of the Laois County Council, per Mirror News.

Sending tributes as Hannah Kealy passed away on Sunday

The Gaelic football and the Gaelic Athletic Association canceled their activities over the weekend to show their respects to the grieving family.

Gardaí, Ireland's national police service, confirmed to the Independent they attended the scene of an incident at a house in Stradbally, Co Laois, on Wednesday at approximately 10:30 a.m.

They further stated the little girl was removed from the scene to Portlaoise General Hospital for treatment and later transferred to Crumlin Hospital. Lastly, she was transferred to Temple Street Hospital, where she eventually passed away.

Her funeral details have yet to be announced.

The dangers of pools outside and inside of the house

Drowning can be quick and quiet but deadly. Children are not often seen entering the water due to distraction or lack of supervision of either parents or guardians. A one-minute phone call or message is ample time for a child to drown.

Death or a life-changing injury such as brain damage can occur in as little as 70 seconds, as just a small amount of inhaled water can already cause drowning.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, an average of 3,536 people died from drowning annually from 2005 to 2019, which equates to 10 deaths each day. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that an average of 4,900 people received emergency care for injuries suffered in swimming pools or spas each year in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

According to ROSPA, since 2012, more than 40 children under five have drowned at home in the bath, a garden pond, or a swimming pool. But, these are not the only areas parents need to be aware of, as children can drown in as little as 5cm of water. Even a paddling pool can be dangerous to young ones, especially if the child is left unattended.