Reminders of the boy who loved hurling are everywhere

The priority now is to restore normality, Robert Holohan’s school principal tells Carl O’Brien

The priority now is to restore normality, Robert Holohan's school principal tells Carl O'Brien

Robert Holohan's smiling face beams out of one of the many school photographs adorning the walls of Midleton CBS National School.

"He's in the group there," says the school principal, Seán Ó Floinn, inspecting a photograph taken during a visit of the Liam McCarthy Cup to the school.

"He loved hurling. He'd always be towards the front, especially at an event like that."

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In many ways the reminders of the 11-year-old are everywhere: from the books he left behind in school, to the missing-person posters on shops in the town, to the class photographs on the walls.

For the principal, the priority following the shocking discovery of Robert's body is to restore some semblance of normality to the life within the school walls.

"It's a difficult time for the entire school community. We have been trying to establish a routine at school today. We had a prayer service this morning. We had classes as normal, and had activities and games," he says.

"The children have been reacting in their own way. Some seem to be taking it well, and then there are the silent ones, and they are the ones you worry about."

Two psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service have been available to help provide guidance or counselling to teachers and parents. The school has also been inundated with offers of help and support from other schools around the country.

As parents dropped their children off at school yesterday morning, some gathered in hushed groups to discuss what had happened. Others waited at the long laneway leading to the school, until they could see their child was safely inside.

Many who lingered outside the school were still coming to terms with the tragedy and wondering what impact it would have on their children.

"What can you do? It's all over the TV and the radio," said one parent. "You can't isolate them from what's happened. How do you explain it to them when we can hardly understand it ourselves?

"Each time I hear the thump of the football against the door at home, at least I know he's safe," said the parent of one nine-year-old. "You just keep more of an eye on them now, but you can't wrap them up in cotton wool either."

"Some people say parents are overprotective these days, but I don't see it like that now," said another mother. "I was saying to my child at Christmas he was getting a bit tubby and that he'd have to cycle to school. There's no way I'll allow him to do that now."

Soon, many suspect, the fear will turn to anger as the focus switches to the person responsible for Robert's abduction.

Ken Murray, a solicitor and town councillor, says frustration and anger are already palpable among the community that a killer may be on the loose. Despite the depth of feeling, however, he is confident there will not be a vigilante-style response.

"I'd say the feeling now is grim determination to see this through. I think people will stand back and let the gardaí do their job.

"There is great respect for the gardaí. They're embedded into the community. The best thing that anyone can do is pass on whatever information they have to the gardaí, and let the law take its course."

In the sacristy of the Holy Rosary Church, Father Billy O'Donovan says getting the balance between controlling children and allowing them freedom will be a dilemma for parents.

"Some things are changed forever. Children should be allowed to do what children do, but it's hard to see how we can return to those times. I do think the town will recover, but it's going to take a long time," says Father O'Donovan.

An added difficulty for the clergy in teaching children, he says, are the mixed and sometimes confusing messages young people are receiving.

"One of the things I will find difficult is trying to teach children in schools that we meet God in other people. That's a fundamental part of our teaching. But at the same time they are being told, 'Don't talk to strangers', or that people can't be trusted. That's hard for children to understand."

Hundreds turned up at the church for a Mass held in memory of Robert yesterday morning, where Father O'Donovan called on the congregation to pray for the 11-year-old boy's family.

A candle of hope for Robert stands in front of the altar, beside his picture.

"We lit the candle last week in the hope that Robert would be found safe and well. Our hope now is that God will give Robert's family the grace and strength to rise above the darkness of this time."