Two Irish youngsters from the identical faculty have died in separate tragic incidents whereas on vacation on the Greek island of Ios – leaving their classmates ‘traumatised’.
Native authorities mentioned one doubtless fell off a cliff. Simply hours after his physique was discovered, the opposite collapsed at a ferry port as they have been ready to depart the island.
Latest graduates Andrew O’Donnell and his classmate Max Wall, each 18, are the second and third Irish nationals to die whereas holidaying in Greece inside every week, sparking an pressing investigation by native authorities.
The dual tragedy first struck on Saturday when O’Donnell was out with a crew of schoolmates from the Dublin’s St Michael’s School, a personal Catholic faculty.
A while after midnight he determined to return to his resort room alone, however by no means made it again. He was discovered by police at round 10.30am native time on Sunday.
His physique confirmed indicators of getting fallen. Police spokesman Konstantine Dimoglidou prompt: ‘He will need to have taken a mistaken path dwelling, stumbling over a cliff.’
Andrew O’Donnell (left) and his classmate Max Wall (proper), each 18, are the second and third Irish nationals to die whereas holidaying in Greece inside every week, sparking an pressing investigation by native authorities
Two Irish youngsters from the identical faculty have died in separate tragic incidents whereas on vacation on the Greek island of Ios (pictured, file picture), with native authorities saying one fell off a cliff and the opposite collapsed at a ferry port
He had been reported lacking by a pal, who was with him till 1.30am on Saturday morning within the city of Hora, in line with The Irish instances.
The pair then turned separated whereas making their method again to the resort. O’Donnell was reported lacking that night, at round 9pm on Saturday.
‘His physique, discovered the following day and after a search alert was known as by his mates and father who couldn’t find him for hours,’ Dimoglidou added.
No sooner had that tragedy struck, one among O’Donnell’s classmates, Max Wall, collapsed whereas ready for a ferry on the island’s port the next day.
They have been ready to return to the Greek capital of Athens when he was discovered unconscious by a member of the general public at round 2pm on Sunday – lower than 4 hours after O’Donnell’s physique is known to have been discovered.
Emergency providers rushed him to hospital, the place he was pronounced useless.
‘He simply collapsed and died,’ Dimoglidou mentioned. ‘He too was taken to the native hospital and his loss of life recorded.’
Each our bodies have been transferred from to the port metropolis of Piraeaus for twin autopsies to be carried out to find out the precise reason behind their deaths.
‘Blood samples and tissues can be examined to determine the causes of their deaths,’ native authorities mentioned.
Flowers outdoors St, Michael’s School in Dublin after the deaths of two latest graduates on the Greek island of Ios. Tributes have been paid to the 2 youngsters, Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, as ‘brilliant, sporting, educational’ younger males. Image date: Monday July 3, 2023
Talking to MailOnline on Monday, a senior police spokesman mentioned it was a ‘unhappy incidence.’ He added an investigation had been launched ‘to probe the causes of the sudden deaths.’ It’s understood every loss of life can be investigated individually.
O’Donnell and Wall have been amongst a celebration of some 20 classmates who had not too long ago graduated from St. Michael’s School in Dublin, a personal faculty that ranks amongst Eire’s finest and counts a number of skilled Rugby gamers amongst its alumni, in addition to comic David O’Doherty.
The late Dermot Morgan, finest recognized for his position taking part in the titular character in ‘Father Ted,’ additionally taught English on the faculty earlier than changing into a full time actor.
The group of 20 arrived in Greece final week to have a good time their commencement.
St Michael’s School launched an announcement on Sunday in regards to the loss of life of Andrew earlier than later confirming Max had additionally died.
This prompted tributes to pour in for the 2 ‘brilliant, sporting, educational’ younger males, together with from Eire’s Tanaiste (deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin.
Mr Martin mentioned he had spoken to the varsity principal on Monday morning.
‘They’re devastated,’ he mentioned. ‘Two excellent younger males with their lives forward of them and our ideas and our prayers are with the households and their mates.
‘And clearly lots of their mates are on the market in Ios and it’s a really, very tough time for them now and we simply ask them to take care of one another over the following variety of days and within the tough time forward.’
He added: ‘It’s devastating and essentially the most traumatic information that any mum or dad might hear and it’s each mum or dad’s nightmare and lots of of our little children go overseas after leaving certificates and after exams.
‘And we’re a rustic the place many individuals journey now and accidents can occur wherever, I feel we have now to say that, however on this context our officers and our division is there to assist and to supply assist when horrible, unhappy occasions like this happen.’
Minister for Schooling Norma Foley mentioned that there are ‘no phrases’ to explain the heartbreaking information.
‘Heartfelt sympathies to the varsity group at St Michael’s School and deepest condolences to the household and mates of Andrew, Max and their classmates.’
Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill mentioned on Twitter that her ideas and prayers are with the household, mates and faculty group at St Michael’s, and has written to the varsity to increase her condolences.
Eire’s Minister for Additional and Greater Schooling Simon Harris mentioned his ideas have been with college students on vacation in Greece who have been ‘now encountering such shock and ache and grief’.
On Monday, principal of St Michael’s School Tim Kelleher mentioned that representatives of the varsity’s mum or dad affiliation had flown to the Greek island to assist the households. ‘We’re completely devastated, the complete group is reeling with the information during the last 24 hours,’ he mentioned.
‘Our deepest sympathies and condolences go to the bereaved households, among the dad and mom affiliation reps have flown out to the island to offer them some assist of their time of want,’ he advised RTE’s Morning Eire.
He described Andrew as a ‘incredible younger man, nice sportsman, incredible footballer’ who was academically brilliant, and was ahead to his vacation and to attending faculty. ‘A really, very brilliant future,’ he mentioned.
He described Max as ‘very brilliant’, ‘captivated with rugby’ and had ‘the world at his ft’. ‘Stuffed with optimism and hope for the longer term.
‘Sadly each households acquired the information yesterday that their future had been taken from them and we’re clearly devastated for them, their household and mates, and we’re right here to assist and assist in any method we are able to within the subsequent days and weeks.’
He mentioned that the group of classmates who had been on vacation with them are ‘completely traumatised’ and are on their method dwelling.
He mentioned that the varsity is open, there’s a ebook of condolences open and helps can be found to those that want them.
4 bouquets of flowers have been positioned on the Dublin faculty; the Irish tricolour and the varsity flag are being flown at half mast outdoors the entrance door.
The Irish tricolour and the varsity flag being flown at half mast outdoors St, Michael’s School
‘We’re heartbroken. We’re a tight-knit group and these are two incredible younger males with their complete lives forward of them.
‘Shiny, sporting, educational males, who had their complete lives forward of them,’ Mr Kelleher continued.
‘There are lots of and lots of of households this morning plunged into deep, deep unhappiness due to what has occurred and once more we’re reeling with it.
‘It’s precisely the nightmare that each mum or dad dreads when group holidays and massive teams of kids go away.
‘You simply don’t wish to get that decision to say your youngster is lacking.
‘However two of our households have had that decision and we’re devastated for them, and our hearts are damaged and our sympathy goes to all of them.’
The previous president of St Michael’s Union Tom McCormack mentioned it was the ‘darkest day’ within the historical past of the Dublin faculty.
‘It was a devastating day, we’ve been heartened by the large quantity of messages of assist from authorities ministers, councillors, senators, different colleges.
‘Our sister faculty, St Mary’s, eight years in the past had the Berkeley tragedy and we at the moment are experiencing our darkest day.’
The college mentioned in an announcement on Sunday that it was ‘a day of immense unhappiness for the varsity’, and mentioned their ideas have been with the household and mates of the 2 boys.
The college inspired college students who wish to know extra about obtainable helps to contact workers members.
A Division of International Affairs spokesman confirmed it’s conscious of each instances and is offering consular help.
O’Donnell, the varsity mentioned, was a ‘fashionable classmate and pal’ and was a member of its soccer crew.
‘He was sort to these round him, trustworthy in all of his endeavours, and an excellent brother to Rory (Transition 12 months). Andrew can be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of understanding him,’ it mentioned in an announcement on its web site.
‘Our ideas are with Andrew’s household and mates at this extraordinarily tough time.
Wall, it continued, ‘was a relentless supply of positivity, encouragement and enjoyable for all of these round him. He was extraordinarily fashionable with workers and college students alike, and a incredible supporter of our groups in the course of the numerous cup campaigns.
‘Our ideas are with Max’s household at this terrible time and along with his mates who’ve skilled such stunning loss during the last 24 hours.’
O’Donnell and Wall have been amongst a celebration of some 20 classmates who arrived in Greece final week to have a good time their highschool commencement on the island of Ios
‘Our faculty workers can be found to talk with and help any college students who want to join over the approaching days and weeks,’ the varsity added.
Below every replace on its web site, the varsity wrote and Irish message of condolence: ‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam’, that means ‘might his holy soul be on the proper aspect of God’.
Eire’s schooling minister mentioned the information was ‘devastating’. Simon Harris mentioned his ideas have been with ‘all leaving cert college students overseas in Greece who have been having fun with holidays after exams and at the moment are encountering such shock and ache and grief’.
The International Affair workplace mentioned it was conscious of the instances and offering consular help.