Demolition work is under way on land adjacent to an unfinished housing estate in Athlone where a two-year-old boy lost his life almost two years ago.

Toddler Liam Keogh died after he fell into a pool of water on a site beside partially constructed houses at the Glenatore housing development in Coosan on 23 February 2012.

Demolition workers began the process of knocking down 13 unfinished one-storey units on the nearby site this morning.

It is part of remedial work carried out by developers Athway Construction Ltd on foot of a legal application for a court order by Westmeath County Council.

The council took legal action after serving a planning enforcement notice for improvement works to be carried out on the site, which was fenced off following the toddler's death.

The developers gave undertakings to complete the work before April next year, it is understood.

It is understood Westmeath County Council has agreed to take over responsibility for the completed part of the development where residents are already in place when the remedial work has been completed.