Friends, family and team-mates of Franklin Bessong have laid flowers on the bank of the River Liffey near the site where the 13 year-old boy drowned at the weekend.
A member of Usher Celtic football club, it is understood he got into the water for a swim to cool down after soccer practice on Saturday morning.
Gardaí and emergency services received a call for help near Chapelizod about 2.15pm. It is understood the boy got into difficulty while swimming.
A Garda spokesman confirmed a search was carried out and his body was recovered shortly after 4pm. His family arrived shortly after and his body was brought to St James’s Hospital for postmortem.
Among the tributes on cards pinned to bunches flowers, was one saying: “RIP Frank. I’ll never forget you brother. You’ll always be in my heart. You’re my inspiration. I remember my first goal for Usher last Monday. You came up to the sideline to celebrate with me. I’ll make you proud, don’t you worry. Love x”
His family is understood to be originally from Nigeria and live in the Dublin 8 area. Councillor Daithí Doolan (SF) said his thoughts and sympathy were the family of the teenager.
“A lovely sunny day has ended in tragedy for this family. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. It really is an awful, awful tragedy” he said.
“I would appeal to everyone to be extra careful when in or around water in this good weather.”
