LAST UPDATE | 11 Feb

EDUCATION MINISTER NORMA Foley has paid tribute to six-year-old Matthew Healy, whose body was discovered in Waterford early on Friday morning.

“I’d like to extend my very sincere sympathy to the family of Matthew Healy and the wider community of Waterford, and of course the school community,” the minister said in a statement.

“I know Matthew was a much loved and treasured member of the school community and will be greatly greatly missed by his fellow pupils, by the staff, board of management and everyone within the school community.”

Six-year-old Matthew’s body was discovered near a seaside cove in the area of Rathmoylan near Dunmore East shortly after midnight on Friday.

A woman in her 30s was arrested following the discovery. It is understood that gardaí were called to the Ballymacaw seaside area where they found the boy and the woman.

It’s believed the child was in a car while the woman was on the roadway.

It is understood the arrested woman has not been questioned yet as she has been moved to a hospital for medical treatment.

Minister Foley also confirmed that the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) was engaging with Matthew’s Faithlegg National School.

“I’d like to confirm too that our NEPS (National Educational Psychological Service) psychologists are engaging with the school and will be available to provide whatever support is required at this very sad and difficult time,” she said.

A vigil was held last night at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford in memory of Matthew. According to WLRFM, about 200 people attended. 

Speaking to WLRFM from the cathedral yesterday, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford, said:

“Just speaking to a number of people, I’m conscious of the awful pain of this tragedy  and just decided that why don’t we gather and pray,” he said.

There’s an open invitation… for all those who would like to pray for Matthew, for his family for his friends, for his schoolmates… for his teachers and all the staff at his school.

Tributes

As Matthew was identified locally yesterday, tributes were paid to the young boy, played soccer for Park Rangers AFC in Faithlegg.

“It is with great sadness that we learned about the tragic passing of one of our players this week. Matthew was a member of our U7 squad and will be sadly missed by his teammates and coaches,” the club said in a post on social media.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time. Ar dheist Dé go raibh a anam dílis.