A teenager collapsed and died at a school in Co Westmeath during the second day of the new term. The dead boy was named by his school last night as Tony Parker (16), from Nahad, Mount Temple.
He was at Moate Community School when he collapsed suddenly. Efforts were made to revive him, and the emergency services were summoned immediately. However, the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
A statement from the school said pupils and staff were shocked by the boy's sudden death.
The fifth-year student was described as "a young man of great character who had all the attributes of a true gentleman".
The statement continued: "The sense of loss at the death of a young person leaves a very deep and palpable sense of loss. Our school is in a state of shock and we have implemented our procedures to support the school community at this time."
It added that the sense of loss felt by the pupils and staff was "a shadow" of the loss felt by the boy's parents, Tom and Geraldine, and his sister Edel and brother Paul.
The school extended its "heartfelt sympathy" to the family "at this very tragic time".
Full postmortem results are awaited to confirm the exact cause of death but it appears the boy collapsed without warning in the school gym while warming up.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/564969e4-d81d-474d-b348-d41dfe1aeced.png)