A Dublin school community is in shock and mourning following the tragic deaths of two former pupils on a Leaving Cert holiday in Greece.
Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, both aged 18 and former pupils of St Michael’s College, died on the Greek island of Ios at the weekend.
The two teenagers died in separate incidents, it has been confirmed.
Andrew O’Donnell is understood to have gone missing on Friday/Saturday. He was reported missing by a friend and following an intensive search, his body was found by a cliff. It’s reported that his body showed signs of having fallen.
Max Wall, who was part of the same group of friends as Andrew, was found unconscious by a member of the public on Sunday afternoon.
The double tragedy has plunged the Ballsbridge secondary school into shock.
Principal of St Michael’s College, Tim Kelleher, told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland: “We are heartbroken. We have a very tight-knit community and these are two fantastic young men with their lives ahead of them. Bright, sporting academic men… who were looking forward to this trip for months and on end.”
Mr Kelleher said the tragic news was a “nightmare parents dread”.
“There are hundreds and hundreds of families plunged into sadness because of what has occurred.”
A book of condolence has been opened at St.Michael’s College.