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School rocked by second classmate killing himself A
TEAM of counsellors has returned to a Westport school after the body of
a second pupil was found in a disused building at Mill Street in the town.
Michael Hopkins’ death came just eight days after his fellow 15-year-old
classmate Dylan Beirne was found dead in the grounds of Rice College.
But school spokesman and its recently retired principal Frank McCarrick
warned against any speculation linking the deaths of the two students
— both of whom were due to sit their junior certificate examinations
this June.
He said: “We are not establishing any relationship between the two.
“Even a qualified psychotherapist couldn’t tell you why people
take their own lives.
“We don’t think anything like exam pressures or school pressures
had anything to do with it. Both were very likeable and popular and didn’t
seem to suffer from pressure.”
Gardaí have ruled out any question of foul play in relation to
both deaths.
Rice College chaplain Father Micheál Mannion said the entire community
was in shock.
He said: “It shouldn’t be this way for young people. They
should be looking forward to life but sadly it doesn’t always work
out like that.”
The 460-pupil boys’ school closed for a day last week for the funeral
of Michael Hopkins — who is survived by his father Martin and sister,
Kylie.
A grief-stricken Kylie left a message on her Bebo internet page paying
tribute to Michael: “U were da best bro a gal cud ask 4!”
she said. “I’ll miss yuuh! xxx.”
It has also emerged that on the night before he died Michael had left
a message on a Bebo website set up for Dylan telling him to rest in peace.
The Hopkins family live at Fahy in Newport seven miles from Westport.
Michael’s mother Colette died after a battle with cancer six years
ago.
Up to six counsellors from the National Educational Psychological Service
have returned to the school to provide individual support to those who
need it as well as group counselling.
A number of prayer services have been held by Fr Mannion.
“Your heart would have to go out to his own dad Martin and sister
Kylie, all his old classmates and all in the school as well,” Fr
Mannion said.
“They’re coping fairly well but it’s not easy. Please
God they’ll be able to get through and get on with life and look
forward to life.” |
