THE PRINCIPAL OF the school attended by Eoghan and Ruairi Chada has spoken of the shock and sadness in the local community following the tragic death of the two young brothers.
Michelle Doorley of Ballinkillen National School said the brothers had been bright and well-liked by everyone, and that 5-year-old Ruairi had been like Eoghan’s ‘shadow’.
She said the two were all-rounders who had contributed a lot to the school. “They’ll be missed by everybody,” she said.
“There’s a great sense of loss in the community,” she told RTE Radio One’s Morning Ireland programme. ”Everybody is shocked and traumatised… and they can’t believe it”.
She described the brothers as “two beautiful little boys.” Ruairi had just finished Junior Infants. “He was – he had a smile you’d die for. You’d run away with him,” she said. “He was bubbly and bright. Very clever. Great sense of fun. Always following his brother around. Eoghan had just finished 3rd class. He was a solid, bright young chap.”
She said that the two brothers were very close and took part in everything in school. “If we needed volunteers for anything, they were the first to line up with their family.” She said the two children were popular throughout the school with all students and staff.
They had the whole package. They were lovely to deal with, pleasant, had lovely manners. They were great guys, great team work, great sense of fun, good sense of humour. They’ll be missed by everybody.
Parish priest Declan Foley said the small, close-knit community in Carlow had been deeply impacted by the death of the two brothers.
“The youngsters were very much involved in the local GAA club with the underage teams, and just loved their hurling and football and soccer as well,” he said. “So very outgoing, beautiful kids, and just a lovely family.”
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