Grieving Dad Waited as Son Drowned at Sea
A father’s anticipation turned to anguish when his son, who had gone swimming, never arrived at the train station. The tragic story unfolded after the teenager chose a different location to swim, with devastating consequences.
Unforeseen Tragedy
Alan McAuliffe went to Dundalk railway station in County Louth, Ireland, expecting to meet his son, Luke. However, two trains arrived, but Luke wasn’t on either of them, causing his father immense worry. Luke, aged 19, had been swimming and was supposed to catch a train to meet his dad.
The Search
Alan, unable to locate his son via Snapchat, contacted the authorities. Tragically, Luke’s body was recovered from the sea near Balbriggan, County Dublin. His jacket, containing his phone and wallet, was also found.
Heartbreaking. A dad waited at a train station to collect his son – unaware the teenager had drowned at sea. https://t.co/zN2hY1e0gX
— Irish Mirror (@IrishMirror) June 23, 2025
“I can only imagine their absolute shock at the teenager’s death,”
—Coroner Clare Keane
According to the World Health Organization, drowning is a significant cause of unintentional injury deaths globally, especially among children and adolescents. The report further states that over 236,000 people die from drowning every year (WHO 2024).
Changing Swim Spots
Luke usually swam in Malahide, County Dublin, but the water was too shallow for him. He opted for Balbriggan, where conditions were rough, with choppy water and very high waves, according to reports. On the day of the incident, another swimmer, Gerard McKenzie, noticed the unsafe conditions at Balbriggan Harbour.
Luke’s father described him as a typical 19-year-old, full of life and enthusiasm. He was an apprentice electrician, had a girlfriend, and was planning his future.
