Farm tragedy as boy (6) drowns in pit

Little James Higgins was a "a beautiful angel of a child" who liked nothing more than playing and helping out on the family farm.

On Saturday, the six-year-old returned home from a trip to town with his mother Joan after getting a new pair of glasses.

His three older brothers, who he normally went everywhere with, were out working in different areas of the farm at the time.

James ran out to play after he came home, but never found his brothers.

Tragically, the boy, who had only started senior infants in new last school September, was found drowned after an accident at the farm, near Shannonbridge, Co Offaly.

His body was discovered by family members shortly after 5.30pm on Saturday.

His parents, Padraig and Joan, were being comforted at their home outside Shannonbridge last night by friends and relations.

"James was a lovely little fella who was always very interested in everything about farming," said Mick McGuinness, a friend of the Higgins family.