Boy found dead a week after school friend's suicide

Counsellors were working with teenagers at a school in Co Mayo tonight after a 15-year-old boy was found dead a week after a fellow pupil took his own life.

The body of Michael Hopkins, from Westport, was found in an empty building in the town yesterday evening.

His schoolmate, Dylan Beirne, also 15, was found dead at Rice College in the popular holiday resort just over a week ago after his parents reported him missing the night before.

Gardaí said foul play is not suspected in either death.

Frank McCarrick, who retired as principal of Rice College before Christmas, acting as school spokesman, said everybody at the school was devastated.

“People are stricken with grief and very numbed at this, the second incident of this nature within 10 days of the other,” Mr McCarrick said.

“There’s a great sense of deep shock and grief in the school and the community. The whole community of Westport has been stunned.”

Dylan took his own life late on Sunday February 17 and Michael was found dead yesterday evening just before 5pm.

There has been no suggestion that the two deaths are linked.

“We are not in any way establishing any link whatsoever between the two deaths. It is unfortunate that the two deaths have occurred,” Mr McCarrick said.

Counsellors from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), who were already offering services to pupils in the boys-only school following Dylan’s death, are now dealing with teenagers following the second death.

Local volunteers involved in counselling work in the Westport area and dozens of parents have also spent the day at the school.

Prayer services and special assemblies for all year groups in the school have been held throughout the day, with the principal addressing all pupils.

Staff and teachers from the school are planning to visit the Hopkins family later tonight as they come to terms with the death of their son.

The school, which closed for classes on the day of Dylan’s funeral last Wednesday, is to shut down for Michael’s funeral later this week.

Mr McCarrick stressed however that staff and counsellors would remain at the school for pupils in need of support.

The third-year pupils were due to sit their junior certificate exams later this year.

Mr McCarrick said the 450-pupil Christian Brothers voluntary secondary school was holding a prayer service for the two boys.