Fermanagh schoolboy dies after being injured in playground

A teenager who was injured in a school playground incident in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh on Monday has died, it was confirmed on Thursday night.

Oisín McGrath, aged 13 from Belcoo, Co Fermanagh had been on life support in the Royal Victoria Hospital since the incident and a local priest had prepared people in his home town to expect the worst.

Official confirmation of the death of Oisín McGrath, described as a sports-loving, helpful and loving boy came on Thursday night.

Local priest, the Rev Seamus Quinn broke the news to parishioners in Belcoo on Wednesday night that Oisín McGrath was unlikely to recover as a result of his injuries, information that he relayed to the press on Thursday.

The 13-year-old suffered his injuries at his school, St Michael’s College in Enniskillen during lunch break on Monday afternoon.

A 17-year-old boy, who is also a pupil at St Michael’s, was arrested in relation to the incident that led to Oísin McGrath’s injuries. He was released on bail pending further inquiries.

Fr Quinn said that 500 people turned up at Mass at St Patrick’s Church in Holywell just outside Belcoo on Wednesday night to pray for Oísin and his family. “People were shocked when they heard that there were no signs of life and the support would be gradually removed,” he said.

The priest described the boy as a “happy and helpful, genuinely helpful, intelligent young fellow” who is “very well-grounded and well-rounded”.

Fr Quinn, who has been trying to comfort the Quinn family, said for anyone who has children this is “their worst nightmare”.

In a tweet on Thursday night First Minister Peter Robinson said Oísin’s death was heartbreaking. “I’ll be praying for his family and all those devastated by this sad news,” he wrote.

In a statement on Wednesday the school said, “A group of students were playing at lunchtime when one student became unwell and we sought medical assistance. He was taken by ambulance to the South West Acute Hospital for medical help.”