Tragic boy, 11, found dead in Limerick house with ‘multiple injuries’ named locally as tributes pour in

TRIBUTES have poured in for an 11-year-old boy who was found dead in a house in Limerick under suspicious circumstances.

The boy, named locally as Brooklyn Colbert, was found with multiple injuries at a house in the Irish town on Sunday night.

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them.

The boy was discovered fatally assaulted, police said.

A 26-year-old man presented himself to a police station in the town shortly afterwards.

The man is still being questioned by detectives in connection with the boy’s death.

Local sources said a man was observed on Sunday evening, walking with the boy as they made their way to a house in the Ballynanty area.

‘MULTIPLE INJURIES’

Once cops were alerted to the tragedy, officers raced to the house where they discovered the boy’s body.

Sources said he had sustained “multiple injuries”.

What appeared to be bloodstains were visible on the handle of the front door of the house on Monday.

Specialist officers travelled from Dublin to Limerick and carried out a forensic examination of the house.

Detectives were conducting house-to-house enquiries in the local community as they tried to piece together the boy’s last known movements.

Mum-of-two, Chelsea Smyth, who lives close to the scene, said: “I know the families (involved) and it’s hurtful to hear of the loss.

“We are all very shocked, especially in this area, things like this don’t normally happen here.”

‘LOVELY LITTLE BOY’

She described Brooklyn as “a lovely little boy”.

“Him and his mam, it was just the two of them. He was the apple of her eye.”

“It’s very sad and very shocking,” she added.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Sharon Benson said: “When I heard the news last night my stomach sank. It’s a young child and it’s absolutely devastating.”

Another local woman living nearby said it was hard to describe the depth of sadness felt it the area.

“It is just shocking and devastating that he is so young. It’s a terrible thing that’s happened, so I don’t even know how to put it into words.”

John Costelloe, a local father-of-four and Sinn Fein councillor, said his “thoughts and prayers” were with the boy’s family.

“I can’t believe it, an eleven-year old boy taken from his family and his community. It’s absolutely horrendous. People are just numb around here. It’s just beyond words really.”

The boy’s father, named locally as Wayne Colbert, is a football player who had spells with a number of League of Ireland clubs, sporting sources said.

The boy’s devastated mother, named locally as Sonia Aylmer, was being supported by friends and family as well as a police liaison officer.

Reliable sources said Brooklyn was Ms Aylmer’s only child.

“He was her whole life, she is obviously absolutely heartbroken. We just can’t believe this has happened,” they added.

Irish police, known as gardai, appealing for information said: “Any person who was in the vicinity of Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty or in the Moyross area between 4pm-7pm (Sunday), and who saw anything suspicious or to any person who may have seen anything suspicious or to any person who may have information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact the incident room at Mayorstone Park Garda Station on 061-456989, the Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111 or any Garda Station.”