‘Reeling’ friends of tragic Leaving Cert students stay on Greek island to support families ahead of post-mortems
DEVASTATED pals of two Leaving Cert students who died on holiday in Greece are rallying around the families of their beloved friends.
Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, both 18, tragically lost their lives on holiday on the Greek island of Ios at the weekend.
The former St Michael's College students had travelled to Ios with pals to mark the end of their exams.
Investigations have been launched into the deaths of the popular youngsters and post-mortems will be carried out on their remains in Athens tomorrow.
It's understood Andrew, who had just turned 18 on June 7, may have fallen after going missing following a night out.
The young man's body was found in a rocky area on Sunday morning.
St Michael's management confirmed his devastating loss early on Sunday, before later revealing their heartache at Max's death.
Principal Tim Kelleher said both boys' parents have now travelled to Ios, and representatives of the parent's association are supporting them there, as well as friends of their sons.
He said: "Some of the boys are actually staying on just to be a support to the families that are gone out to identify the remains and bring them home."
Two prayer services will be held in the school chapel to remember the boys on Wednesday at 12 noon and 6pm.
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Many of the young men's classmates on the group holiday are expected home by Thursday, with another memorial set to be planned for when they get back.
Numb staff and students gathered at the Ballsbridge school, while cards and floral tributes were left outside the school throughout the day.
The Irish tricolour and the school flag were being flown at half mast outside the front door.
And the school's website homepage has been updated to include a memorial to the two boys, stating: "The comfort of having had a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one."
'GONE TOO SOON'
The Official Leinster Supporters Club, of which Andrew's mum Bebhinn is president, paid tribute.
They said: "We are saddened to tell you that teenager Andrew O’Donnell who died in Ios, Greece is the son of our OLSC president Bebhinn.
"We offer our sincere condolences to Bebhinn, Gavin and Rory, extended family, friends and school friends.
"Our thoughts are also with the family and friends of Max Wall who also lost his life in Ios. Two young lives gone far too soon."
The Irish Rugby U20s squad will be dedicating Tuesday's clash against Fiji to the two young men, with players set to wear black armbands in tribute.
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said a consular officer was on the ground on Ios supporting the families involved.
He described the teenagers' deaths as "devastating" and "every parent's nightmare".
Minister for Further Education Simon Harris said his thoughts were with Leaving Cert students on holiday in Greece who were "now encountering such shock and pain and grief".
Principal Tim Kelleher told RTE's Morning Ireland: "We're absolutely devastated, the entire community is reeling with the news over the last 24 hours.
"Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the bereaved families, some of the parents association reps have flown out to the island to give them some support in their time of need."
SCHOOL REELING
He described Andrew as a "fantastic young man, great sportsman, fantastic footballer" who was academically bright, and was looking forward to his holiday and to attending college.
He had "a very, very bright future" ahead of him, he said.
He described Max as "very bright", "passionate about rugby" and had "the world at his feet".
He said he was "full of optimism and hope for the future".
Mr Kelleher added: "Unfortunately both families got the news yesterday that their future had been taken from them and we're obviously devastated for them, their family and friends, and we're here to help and support in any way we can in the next days and weeks."
He said that many of the group of classmates who had been on holiday with them are "absolutely traumatised" and are on their way home.
He added: "We are heartbroken. We are a tight-knit community and these are two fantastic young men with their whole lives ahead of them.
"Bright, sporting, academic men, who had their whole lives ahead of them.
"There are hundreds and hundreds of families this morning plunged into deep, deep sadness because of what has occurred and again we are reeling with it.
"It's exactly the nightmare that every parent dreads when group holidays and big groups of children go away.
"You just don't want to get that call to say your child is missing.
"But two of our families have had that call and we are devastated for them, and our hearts are broken and our sympathy goes to them all."
'DARKEST DAY'
The past president of St Michael's Union ,Tom McCormack, said it was the "darkest day" in the history of the Dublin school.
He said: "It was a devastating day, we've been heartened by the huge volume of messages of support from government ministers, councillors, senators, other schools.
"Our sister school, St Mary's, eight years ago had the Berkeley tragedy and we are now experiencing our darkest day."
The Tanaiste extended his condolences, telling RTE Radio's News at One: "I think we're all devastated at the loss of such young lives with such great potential, Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall.
"And our deepest sympathies go to their parents, to their families and to the entire school community of St Michael's."
Mr Martin said he had spoken to the school principal on Monday morning.
He said: "They are devastated. Two outstanding young men with their lives ahead of them and our thoughts and our prayers are with the families and their friends.
"And obviously many of their friends are out there in Ios and it's a very, very difficult time for them now and we just ask them to look after each other over the next number of days and in the difficult time ahead."
He continued: "It is devastating and the most traumatic news that any parent could hear and it is every parent's nightmare and many of our sons and daughters go abroad after leaving certificates and after exams.
"And we're a country where many people travel now and accidents can happen anywhere, I think we have to say that, but in this context our officials and our department is there to help and to offer support when terrible, sad events like this occur."
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Minister for Education Norma Foley said on Monday that there are "no words" to describe the heartbreaking news.
She said: "Heartfelt sympathies to the school community at St Michael's College and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Andrew, Max and their classmates."
