At a glance
- Two members of An Garda Sióchána (Irish police) have travelled to the Greek island of Ios to assist investigations into the deaths
- Dublin teenagers Max Wall and Andrew O’Donnell died in separate incidents over the weekend
- Preparations are under way to repatriate their remains to Ireland
- Ireland’s U-20 rugby squad paid tribute to the teens before their match against Fiji
- Meanwhile the funeral of 22-year-old Rory Deegan, who also died in Greece last month, has taken place in County Laois
- Published4 July 2023
Two officers from An Garda Sióchána (Irish police) have travelled to Greece to assist investigations into the deaths of two teenagers from Dublin.
Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, both 18 and former pupils at St Michael’s College, died in separate incidents on the island of Ios over the weekend.
Gardaí will also be assisting with the repatriation of their bodies.
Mr O’Donnell went missing after a night out on Friday and his body was found in a rocky area on Sunday morning. It is thought he may have fallen.
Mr Wall died hours later by the port on the island, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported.
A post-mortem examination of both men is expected to take place in Athens on Tuesday.
Greek authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of each death.
About 90 students from St Michael’s College had travelled to the Greek island to celebrate completing their Leaving Certificate exams.
The principal of St Michael’s, Tim Kelleher, said the school community was devastated by their deaths.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said: “We are heartbroken. We have a very tight-knit community and these are two fantastic young men with their lives ahead of them.”
The school is to remain open with counselling services available for students returning from the island.
A book of condolence and vigil has been opened and a memorial has been organised for later this week.
A union of past pupils thanked those who formed a guard Of honour as the teenagers’ bodies left Ios for Athens on Tuesday morning.
Ireland’s game against Fiji in the World Rugby U20 Championship went ahead with players wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.
A minute’s silence was held before kick off.
Six of the team’s panel are former students of St Michael’s College and knew the teenagers.
The team is also mourning the loss of one of the player’s fathers.
On Monday, head coach Richie Murphy offered his condolences to the teenagers’ families.
“It’s a really tough time. Obviously, we are massively devastated to hear of the passing of Max Wall and Andrew O’Donnell, two boys from St Michael’s,” he said.
“And as a father of kids around that age, and as an Irishman, I feel really devastated for them. We’d like to offer our condolences to the Wall and O’Donnell families.”
Meanwhile the funeral has taken place for a young Irishman who died in Zakynthos in Greece on 25 June.
Rory Deegan, 22, from Cullohill in County Laois had travelled to to the country with about 30 friends and had planned to stay for a month.
It is understood he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool, Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported., external
Harps GAA club in Durrow paid tribute Mr Deegan, who they described as a “shining light, with an infectious smile and character”.
“We are saddened with grief and sorrow as we mourn the loss of our cherished club member and friend, Rory Deegan,” the club added.
Source : BBC