19-year-old Athlone man drowns in Shannon tragedy

Shock and sadness has been expressed locally in the aftermath of a swimming accident on the River Shannon which resulted in the death of Athlone native Kieran Cochrane (19) on Thursday last. Kieran - a popular young man who was talented at clay pigeon shooting and football - got into difficulty while swimming in the river with friends near the N6 bypass bridge last Thursday. Gardai and emergency rescue services were alerted at 3.30pm and one of those who soon arrived at scene was a former member of Athlone Sub Aqua Club, Kiltoom resident Niall McHugh. 'I got a call about it and I happened to be nearby, in Iona Park, at the time,' Mr McHugh told the Westmeath Independent yesterday (Tuesday). 'Gardai were already at the scene and one Garda was in the water attempting to find him, so I said I"d go in myself and have a look. I went in with my clothes on and I found him. When I got back to the shore the emergency services were there.' Mr McHugh said he was told by friends of the deceased that Kieran had been in trouble for 15 minutes at that point. Attempts were made to resuscitate him at the scene and he was taken to Portiuncula Hospital but there he was pronounced dead. Mr McHugh said he had seen the deceased around Athlone in the past but didn"t know him personally. 'It"s a terrible tragedy and his friends were obviously extremely upset,' he said. Kieran is survived by his loving parents Alan and Ann-Marie, brother Aaron, sister Cassandra, grandparents John and Phyllis Cochrane and Danny and Bridie McConnell, as well as aunts, uncles cousins, relatives and friends. He is a former student of St Brigid"s School in Mullingar, and the school"s principal, Bob Keating, said it was very sad to be celebrating a life that was taken too soon: 'Kieran started school here in St. Brigid"s in 2000 and he was always a good and pleasant young man, and a bit of a joker as well,' said Mr. Keating. 'He was dedicated to school as he used to rise at 7.15 each morning to come from Athlone to school in Mullingar, and he felt happy and secure here,' he continued. Mr Keating stated that Kieran was good at woodwork and achieved two honours in his Junior Cert, obtaining a FETAC Level three qualification thereafter. He was a keen Liverpool supporter who played both soccer and basketball for St. Brigid"s, and who also played soccer for Leinster. He also loved the outdoor life and enjoyed clay pigeon shooting and fishing. After graduating from St. Brigid"s last year, Kieran returned regularly to St Brigid"s to visit friends and staff. He then went on to work in Apache Pizza in Mullingar, where owner Niall Murray remembered him fondly. 'He came here first on work experience from St. Brigid"s and immediately all the staff warmed to him,' said Mr Murray. 'He was always eager to learn and a very chatty and gentle person, and always good craic. 'It was a terrible tragedy and all the staff here would like to send their condolences to his family,' Mr Murray said. Kieran"s remains were laid to rest at Coosan cemetery after a funeral mass at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul on Monday. May he rest in peace.