Tributes paid to 16-year-old driver killed in Mount Leinster road tragedy
A SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD boy who died when the car he was driving crashed into a wall near The Nine Stones at Mount Leinster has been described as a “very popular student” who will be greatly missed.
Tributes were paid today to Eamon Kavanagh, who died at the scene close to his home in Borris, just over the border in county Carlow.
Four other teenagers were in the car at the time. They are being treated at St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny and University Hospital Waterford. One remains in a critical condition in Dublin’s Mater hospital.
In a statement issued earlier today, Borris Vocational School said his death was a “terrible tragedy for the family”.
The statement added: “We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Eamon’s parents, brothers and sister, their wider family and many friends.
“We have been in contact with his family and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time.”
The school said it has implemented its critical incident management plan and that psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service have been assisting and advising staff.
“The staff will be helping students to deal with this tragic event. The school will be open to parents to support them and to offer them advice and guidance. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time,” the statement added.
The 16-year-old victim is the son of a farming couple who faced sentencing in the courts last Friday in a high-profile animal cruelty case.
James Kavanagh (48) was given a three-year prison term after pleading guilty to 30 counts of causing or allowing animal cruelty on his property at Raheenleigh, Myshall, in April 2015.
