A TODDLER IN Galway has died after choking on a piece of food in a creche.

It is understood that the boy, who was due to mark his second birthday on Monday, had been eating a snack that included carrots when something became lodged in his throat. The little boy’s death has been described as “a tragic accident”.

He has been named locally as Cian Heneghan of Ballinderreen.

Staff rushed to help the toddler and preformed CPR until an ambulance arrived. He was brought to University Hospital Galway but passed away despite sustained attempts at resuscitation.

It is understood that Cian’s parents, Dara and Olive Heneghan, had been on a short break in the Netherlands and his extended family had been caring for him at the time.

The Irish Times reports that at the creche in Ballinderreen village, staff placed a black ribbon on the gate as a mark of sympathy. The creche remains closed today

In a statement, it said:

At Ballinderreen childcare centre, a little boy aged two became ill on Wednesday afternoon and was rushed to hospital.

Despite medical intervention, tragically, the little boy lost his life.

The creche staff, directors and the management committee offer their condolences to the parents, grandparents and family of the little boy, and their thoughts are with them at this time.