The 12-year-old boy who died in a traffic incident in Limerick city yesterday had been due to start secondary school today.
John Leo, Whitecross Gardens, Moyross, was playing with a friend a short distance from his home when he was hit by a truck yesterday morning.
The incident happened at 10.10am at Hartigan Villas in Moyross, where a private contractor was carrying out work on behalf of Limerick City Council.
The truck had only travelled about 15 yards from where it had collected rubble from some recently-demolished bungalows when the incident occurred.
It is understood that the boy was killed instantly when he became caught under a rear wheel of the vehicle.
Neighbours and relatives of the boy wept yesterday as they gathered outside the family home, which was decked out in green and white flags ahead of this weekend's All-Ireland hurling final.
Supt John Kerin said last night that a full investigation had begun into what he described as a "tragic accident".
He said: "We would like to extend our sympathy to the family of this young boy and to the driver of the truck, who was extremely shaken."
The local parish priest, Father Frank O'Dea, who visited the family yesterday, said that the entire community was devastated by the tragedy.
"The whole community is in shock and our prayers are with the family, who are very well respected and very well liked in the parish. Our thoughts are also with John's friends, who were playing in the area at the time," said Father O'Dea.
"John was a lovely young boy who would always salute you when you met him on the road. He loved sport and was into football and cycling and was looking forward to starting secondary school this week," he added.