Tributes paid to 15-year-old boy who drowned in canal in Kildare at weekend

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to 15-year-old Max O'Connor who tragically drowned while swimming in a canal in Kildare at the weekend. 

The young man was a third-year student at Colaiste Chilliain in Clondalkin in County Dublin. Max was a native of Newcastle in West Dublin.

Funeral details on RIP.ie read: "O’Connor Max, (11th May 2024) Newcastle, Co Dublin, (tragically),  much loved son of Brian and Dolores, beloved grandson of the late Dolores and Fred, adored brother of Lee, Emma, Ava, Milly, Libby, Mark and Dwayne and uncle to Esme and Luan.

"Max will be forever loved and very sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, brothers, sisters, niece, nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and a large circle of friends

"Reposing at his home on Monday (20th May) from 5pm-7pm only. House strictly private outside these times pleaseFuneral Mass on Tuesday (21st May) at 11am in Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clondalkin Village followed by burial in Newlands Cross Cemetery arriving at approximately 1pm.

"Family flowers only please. Donations box at church for YODA, child counselling services".

His sister Emma posted: "My beautiful baby brother, I will spend the rest of my life missing you, forever in my heart"

In condolences, a sympathiser wrote: "We are thinking of you all at this awful time, look after each other. May Max rest in peace x".

The teenager was also fondly remembered by Naíonra Santain Teo Pre School where Max and his siblings attended. 

Friends have taken to Facebook to pay tribute to him in recent days.

One  said: "I can’t believe the news, Max. I can’t believe you’re gone. I’ll forever cherish our memories together and I will never forget about you."

A relative said: "You made a big impact on all our lives. You’ll be forever missed and never forgotten. Love you Max."

Another friend said: "Rest in peace little buddy may u get the best bed in heaven."

A statement from gardaí said that at about 5.40pm on Saturday May 11th, gardaí became aware of a person struggling in the water in the Grand Canal between Ardclough and Celbridge in Co Kildare.

A number of emergency services attended the scene and the body of a male youth in his teens was recovered from the water a short time later, the statement confirmed.