Tragic Irish student’s beloved dogs join mourners as the ‘absolute gem’ teenager is laid to rest

The second of two funerals for a pair of Irish schoolboys whose lives were tragically cut short on the picturesque Greek island of Ios took place today, with the deceased’s faithful golden retrievers joining mourners as they laid him to rest.

Andrew O’Donnell, an 18-year-old with “a good heart” and a “sense of humor that can brighten the darkest days,” according to Monsignor Ciarán O’Carroll, was said goodbye by a grieving community at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, Dublin, this morning.

Andrew’s mother, Bebhinn, was seen outside the church holding the pastor in an anguished embrace, while Andrew’s two dogs, Marnie and Maisie, waited patiently in tow.

The hall was packed as mourners gathered to pay their respects to the young man whose “untimely passing left us all shocked and saddened,” said Mr. O’Carroll.

During the funeral service, friends of Andrew brought symbols of his life to the altar, including sports equipment, a Kanye West album and a dog leash – a touching tribute to his love for his golden retrievers.

O’Donnell’s funeral mass comes two days after his friend Max Wall, 18, was buried in the same church.

Father Paddy Moran, Chaplain of St Michael’s College where both boys attended, spoke of the promising future cruelly snatched from Andrew by a simple fall.

“We are here for the saddest of reasons, to say goodbye to a beloved son, a beloved older brother,” he said solemnly. The Irish Times.

The priest highlighted Andrew’s infectious smile as he discussed his dogs and his immense passion for sport, especially his unwavering support for Liverpool FC and the Irish rugby union team.

He went on to describe Andrew as “an absolute gem.”

Andrew’s family said, “Our beloved Andrew has left this world much too soon. Andrew died unexpectedly, leaving a void that can never be filled.

Andrew brought immense joy to the lives of his family, friends and everyone who knew him.

“He possessed a lively mind, a kind heart and a sense of humor that brightened the darkest days. He was known for his passion for sports, his football talents, his charming demeanor and his love for his two golden retrievers, Marnie & Maisie.

“He was unfailingly loyal to his friends and relatives, in Ireland and England, and in his short time with us has influenced the lives of so many, including those with whom he shared experiences at St. Matthew’s National School, St. Michael’s College Secondary School , Old Belvedere RFC and Belmont FC.’

Andrew was on a post-exam trip to the Greek island of Ios with his classmate Max Wall when disaster struck.

The circumstances surrounding Andrew’s death took place on a rocky hill on the outskirts of Hora, the main town of Ios.

Separated from a friend on a walk home from a night out, Andrew is said to have suffered a fatal fall.

His body was discovered the next day and his loved ones were devastated. Disaster struck again just hours later when Max collapsed near the island’s harbor after learning the news of Andrew’s death.

Preliminary post-mortem examinations conducted by Greek authorities determined that Andrew’s cause of death was a head injury as a result of the fall, while Max’s death was attributed to a heart problem he was struggling with.

It was revealed on Monday that Max was talking to his father when he collapsed shortly after find out that his missing classmate Andrew has been found dead.

Father Moran told the packed funeral service in Dublin about Max’s last moments and how sudden his death was.

Max was walking to the ferry when he died. He spoke to Niall, his father, who told me yesterday that Max sounded strong on the phone,’ Father Moran said.

‘One moment Max was alive, the next he wasn’t. That’s how fast it went. Max didn’t suffer. He was not afraid. He died listening to the voice of the father who loved him. There is comfort in that,” he added.

Max’s parents described their son as a “force of nature” whose loss is a “profound cruelty.”

The teenager from south Dublin has been “deprived of a bright future,” his father Niall told mourners at the funeral service in Donnybrook on Monday.

“Max was full of life… He had a great thirst to see the world and experience as much of it as possible,” he said, according to the Irish Times.

“Max was a great brother to Charlie, they were true best friends.” He added, “We will love him forever.”

After his funeral at The Church of the Scared Heart, his mother Fiona said, “Max, our sweet boy, we love you forever, we miss you forever.” You were a force of nature and your memory will live on.’