A 4-year-old boy has died following an incident at the National Aquatic Centre yesterday.

He got into difficulty while swimming and died in hospital last night.

The Centre says it is co-operating fully with a Garda investigation.

It is understood the boy was playing in the paddling pool at the National Aquatic Centre at around 6:30pm yesterday evening when he got into difficulty.

The alarm was raised and efforts were made to resuscitate the little boy.

He was rushed to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown but was pronounced dead last night.

Gardaí in Blanchardstown are investigating and they are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

In a statement this morning the Chief Executive of the National Sports Campus Development Authority which is responsible for the Aquatic Centre extended his deepest sympathies to the family of the young boy.

Barry O’Brien also said the Centre is co-operating fully with the Garda investigation and Aquazone remains closed until further notice.