A teenager who died in a road traffic collision in Co Offaly while driving a tractor on Thursday night has been named locally as Shane Hickey.
The third-year student (15) died after an incident at Clonmore, Rhode, Co Offaly shortly after 11pm.
In a post on Facebook, Edenderry Rugby Club, which Shane played for, said the members of the under-16 panel and coaches were "deeply saddened" by his sudden death.
The post described Shane as a “gentle soul” and extended “thoughts and prayers” to his family.
Assembly election: North on brink of having first ever nationalist first minister
Cost of living for student nurses: ‘We are very fond of jumpers and hot water bottles’
Students concerned J1 visas will not be processed in time for summer
Government to invest in Cork city as population set to rise by 50%, Taoiseach says
The teenager was a student at St Mary’s secondary school, which also described him as a “gentle soul” in a post on social media.
According to gardaí, the tractor left the road and entered a deep drain at Black Castle Bog, Clonmore. His body was removed from the scene to Tullamore Hospital. The local coroner has been notified.
The teenager is survived by his parents Paula and Richard, his brothers Alex and Evan, his grandparents and extended family. He would be "forever missed" by them and his girlfriend Holly, and "large circle of friends," his death notice said. The teenager's funeral mass will take place on Monday at St Mary's Church in Edenderry followed by a burial in St Mary's Cemetery.
A post on the Facebook page of the primary school Scoil Bhríde, where Shane was a former pupil, said: “It is with great sadness that we heard this morning of the very untimely and tragic passing of one of our former pupils”.
The school extended “deepest and heartfelt sympathies” to his family and friends.
Green Party senator Pippa Hackett said the teenager's death was "devastating for his family, neighbours and friends".
“The loss of one so young, with so much life to live, sends shock waves through the whole community… May Shane rest in peace,” she said.
The road on which the accident occurred was closed on Friday at the scene for examination by Garda forensic collision investigators.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward and any road users with video footage, including dash cam, is asked to make this available to them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Tullamore Garda Station 057 932 7600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
