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 underneath means.

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

Today, lots of of younger Irish college students shaped a guard of honour as autos carrying their our bodies departed the island for Athens.

Around 90 St Michael’s pupils had been on Ios to have a good time the top 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 discipline, 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 might have died of pure causes, and at present it’s not believed the 2 tragic incidents are related.

There is not 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 instructed 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 mother and father of each youngsters have additionally travelled to Ios.

‘Max and Andrew died amongst their associates’

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, instructed 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 as we speak and tomorrow in reminiscence of the 2 college students, and a memorial might be held later within the week.

Books of condolence have been opened on the college, which has stated in an announcement that Max was “a constant source of positivity” and described Andrew as a “popular” scholar and a “committed” footballer.

Meanwhile, associates of the lifeless college students put their grief behind them as we speak to assist Ireland’s U20 rugby group 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 stated by their coach Richie Murphy to be shocked and devastated.

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Paragliding accident ends in demise

That grief was compounded yesterday by the sudden demise of the daddy of one other group 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 group, carrying black armbands, overcame Fiji 47-27 to prime their group and qualify for the semi-finals in a particularly emotional environment.

Before the sport, captain Diarmuid Mangan stated: “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 predicted to be concluded in Athens by Wednesday.