Funeral details have been announced for tragic five-year-old boy Ben Duffy who drowned in Co Mayo on Monday.
The youngster was playing on a small inflatable on Lough Mask when it drifted from the shore and he fell into the water.
The boy’s body was found by search and rescue crews on Tuesday morning on the northwestern section of the lake.
Ben was the youngest of five children and a junior infants pupil at the local Scoil Naisiunta Tuar Mhic Eadaigh Gaelscoil.
Corrib Mask Search and Rescue Unit was one of the agencies on the water searching for Ben three days ago.
The crew arrived on Lough Mask within twelve minutes of receiving the call.
Niall O’Meachair, the area director of units for the Connemara Area, said: “This is an unspeakable tragedy for the family and the local community. Unfortunately, we deal with events like this every year and it never gets easier.
“There is a family that’s torn apart and we are heartbroken for their loss, and offer them our sincere condolences.”
And now Ben's family have announced that his funeral will be held at the local Tourmakeady Church on Friday.
The funeral cortege will travel through several nearby towns on its way to the church.
An obituary post on MidWest Radio reads: "Dearly loved son of Alan and Tracey and brother of Matthew, Daniel, Darcey and Dolan.
"He will be sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, brothers, sister, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.
"May his gentle soul rest in peace.
"Funeral will leave the residence of his grandparents in Sraheen on Friday morning at 11 o’clock to arrive at Tourmakeady Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon.
"Burial afterwards in Aghagower Cemetery.
"The funeral cortege will travel via Trianlar, Srah and Killawalla en route to Aghagower Cemetery.
"In accordance with HSE and Government guidelines Ben’s Mass will be for family only."
