A teenage girl from the southern part of Dublin lost her life due to a medical emergency last Thursday while participating in an Irish college course at Coláiste na nOileán, located in Tír an Fhia, Connemara Gaeltacht. The young girl, who reportedly had a known medical condition, fell ill during a walk.
Emergency services were promptly alerted and arrived on scene around half past four in the afternoon on Thursday before transferring the affected girl to University Hospital Galway. However, despite their intervention, the girl did not survive.
The college, which typically caters to first- and second-year secondary school pupils, issued a statement on Friday detailing the tragedy. It accounted the unexpected loss of one of their students owing to a medical condition, expressing their shock, and offering counselling services to all those affected.
Legal and professional assistance has been sought to navigate the situation, and in the interests of everyone associated with the college, it was decided to conclude the course one day ahead of schedule, Friday 14th, in a bid to respect the grieving process. Detailed specifics have been withheld out of respect for the family involved, who remain in the college’s thoughts amidst this challenging time.
Following the unfortunate news, all students, who had gathered in the main hall, were allowed to reach out to their parents who had already been updated about the scenario. The decision to conclude the course ahead of schedule was implemented, and transportation was coordinated to help students return home. They were brought to a pre-agreed collection point at Kinnegad by bus on Friday evening, where they were met by their parents.
Parents reported their children were profoundly affected by the tragedy, one mother noting that all the girls were terribly upset and shocked. Despite the sorrow, she commended the college’s management of the situation and their timely communication.
Much like other Gaeltacht institutes, pupils at Coláiste na nOileán stay with local families, engaging in educational and sports activities together, frequently forging robust relationships among themselves. These students were a part of a course, preparing them for the Junior Cert, with an emphasis on developing comprehension and self-assurance alongside boosting their proficiency and vocabulary in the Irish language.