02-07-2025
Boy who died in Kerry incident had 'radiated positivity'
Tributes have been paid to 16-year-old Darragh Byrnes who died after falling from a height close to a lake near Daingean Uí Chúis in Co Kerry, with his school describing him as a "bright and uplifting presence".
Darragh, from Charleville in Co Cork, was visiting the area in the west Kerry gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne.
He with his parents at An Chonair, a mountain pass which goes from Daingean Uí Chúis to the village of An Clochán on the northern side of the peninsula.
The family are described as being deeply rooted in the north Cork town.
It is understood they had stopped at a waterfall close to the top of the pass, and that the boy climbed a short distance to a lake above the waterfall, Loch an Pheidléara.
He is understood to have suffered fatal injuries when he fell from a height, close to the lake.
CBS secondary school in Charleville said that Darragh was "a gentle, kind-hearted, and considerate young person who radiated warmth and positivity".
"Whether in the classroom, walking our corridors, or spending time with his friends, he left a meaningful and lasting impact. His generous nature, intelligence and talent inspired all who knew him."
The school said Darragh's absence "leaves a space that cannot be filled"
Members of the Coast Guard Unit based in Daingean Uí Chúis, members of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, gardaí and National Ambulance Service crews responded when the alarm was raised at around 3.30pm yesterday.
The operation was coordinated by the Coast Guard's Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Valentia, Co Kerry.
Marine Rescue tasked the Shannon-based Rescue 115 helicopter to the scene.
His body was removed to University Hospital Kerry, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted in the coming days.
