A vigil was held for six-year-old Matthew Healy as the people of Waterford expressed their “deep” shock for his death. 

The boy was found unresponsive in a car near Rathmoylan Cove outside Dunmore East shortly after midnight on February 9th. 

A woman in her late 30s was arrested at the scene and is being held at a Garda station in Waterford. 

A vigil was held at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity yesterday evening, organised by Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Alphonsus Cullinan. 

Irish Independent Southern Correspondent Ralph Riegel said it was a “very emotional event”. 

“He organised it because he said that the entire community was left deeply shocked by the tragic events of Friday,” he said. 

“Hundreds attended the cathedral in Waterford.” 

Bishop Cullinan told the gathered crowd the family of Matthew was in everyone’s prayers. 

“There is something about the death of a child which touches our hearts so deeply and we are heart-stricken, all of us at some level,” he said. 

Matthew was a member of Park Rangers AFC, which shared its condolences online.  

“It is with great sadness that we learned about the tragic passing of one of our players this week,” the statement said.  

“Matthew was a member of our under-seven squad and will be sadly missed by his teammates and coaches.  

“Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time.”  

It is understood Matthew’s classmates at his national school are being offered counselling in the wake of the tragedy.