THIS is the tragic youngster found dead outside a Waterford property this week - as gardai continue to question a woman in connection with the death.
Tributes have been paid to six-year-old Matthew Purcell-Healy, who was discovered fatally injured in a car outside a house in the early hours of Friday morning.
Shortly after midnight on Friday, the senior infant student’s body was discovered in a car in Rathmoylan, Co Waterford.
It’s understood the alarm was raised by a local in the area who came upon a distressed woman near the village of Dunmore East.
Emergency responders at the scene tried desperately to revive the boy and brought him to Waterford University Hospital.
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The little boy was sadly pronounced dead after 2am.
A woman at the scene was arrested, and continues to be held for questioning while gardaí investigate the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death.
Matthew attended Senior Infants at Faithlegg National School, Cheekpoint, Co Waterford, having previously attended junior infants at the school in September 2022.
His former teammates at his local football club paid tribute to the popular young lad and spoke of their utter heartbreak at the news.
Park Rangers said in a statement issued on their Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that we learned about the tragic passing of one of our players this week.
“Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this unimaginably difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
The Department of Education confirmed it had provided psychological supports to the school he attended.
Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, said earlier he had heard the news with “deep sorrow and profound sadness”.
He said: “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the young child during this incredibly difficult time.
“The loss of a young life is a profound tragedy that deeply affects us all.
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"As a community, it is important for us to come together in prayer and reflection to offer comfort and strength to the family and friends of the young boy who has left us too soon.”
