Irish police to help investigation into deaths of two youngsters on Greek island as pupils kind guard of honour

Irish police have flown to the Greek vacation island of Ios to help within the investigation into the deaths of two classmates from Dublin, as preparations to repatriate them get below approach.

Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall, each 18 and former pupils at St Michael’s College, died over the weekend as they celebrated the tip of their Leaving Certificate exams.

Today, tons of of younger Irish college students fashioned a guard of honour as automobiles carrying their our bodies departed the island for Athens.

Around 90 St Michael’s pupils had been on Ios to have fun the tip of the Leaving Certificate, a ceremony of passage for Irish youngsters.

Up to a thousand Irish college students from totally different faculties are believed to be holidaying on the island.

Andrew went lacking after an evening out on Friday, and his physique was discovered on Sunday morning in a rocky subject, with indicators of a fall.

Max was discovered unresponsive close to the port space in a separate incident in a while Sunday.

It is believed he could have died of pure causes, and at the moment it’s not believed the 2 tragic incidents are related.

There isn’t any suggestion of any foul play in both of the deaths.

Greek police are conducting two investigations, and the Irish police service An Garda Siochana advised Sky News two of its officers travelled to Ios “to provide assistance with the ongoing investigations and with the repatriation of both men”.

“As this is an investigation led by Greek authorities, An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time,” a spokesperson added.

The dad and mom of each youngsters have additionally travelled to Ios.

‘Max and Andrew died amongst their mates’

Students and oldsters filed previous a pile of floral tributes on the gates of St Michael’s as they attended a prayer service on the college.

The chaplain, Fr Paddy Moran, advised these gathered that “Max and Andrew died among their friends”, and they need to “hold onto the hope that Christ gives you”.

Services had been held at present and tomorrow in reminiscence of the 2 college students, and a memorial will probably be held later within the week.

Books of condolence have been opened on the college, which has mentioned in a press release that Max was “a constant source of positivity” and described Andrew as a “popular” pupil and a “committed” footballer.

Meanwhile, mates of the lifeless college students put their grief behind them at present to assist Ireland’s U20 rugby workforce advance to the World Championship semi-finals in South Africa.

Six former St Michael’s pupils, who knew the deceased pair, are a part of the squad and had been mentioned by their coach Richie Murphy to be shocked and devastated.

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Paragliding accident leads to demise

That grief was compounded yesterday by the sudden demise of the daddy of one other workforce member in a paragliding accident close to Cape Town.

Greig Oliver, a former Scottish rugby worldwide, was in South Africa to help his son, U20 squad member Jack Oliver.

The 58-year-old was killed after two tandem paragliders collided.

Despite the triple tragedy, the Irish workforce, carrying black armbands, overcame Fiji 47-27 to prime their group and qualify for the semi-finals in an especially emotional ambiance.

Before the sport, captain Diarmuid Mangan mentioned: “A lot of lads in our squad would have known the two boys. Everyone is just kind of trying to get around the lads and make sure they’re doing all right and they’re being picked up.

“It’s clearly an terrible tragedy and we provide our condolences to the 2 households.”

A autopsy examination of each younger males is anticipated to be concluded in Athens by Wednesday.