Beloved dogs of teen who died in Greece join mourners at his funeral
A teenager who died while on holiday on a Greek island had ‘so much love to give’, his funeral mass has heard.
Andrew O’Donnell was one of a group of teens from St Michael’s and other Dublin schools who visited the island of Ios to celebrate the end of their Leaving Certificate exams.
The 18-year-old died on July 1 when he’s believed to have fallen while walking back from a night out. Hours later fellow pupil Max Wall also died after falling ill.
His funeral was held on Wednesday at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook and his beloved golden retriever dogs were amongst the mourners.
His father, Gavin O’Donnell, told the funeral: ‘Andrew filled our home with love and joy from the moment he arrived.
‘He loved, and was loved, by so many people.
‘We couldn’t be prouder of Andrew and the man he became – and we will miss him dearly.
‘Goodbye Andrew, my beautiful boy.’
His mother, Bebhinn O’Donnell, said they would always remember their son as ‘that wonderful and unconditionally loved bundle of joy’ they welcomed into their home when he was born.
‘You had so much love to give and you gave it out in buckets.’
She added: ‘Sleep well, we love you, we miss you but we will see you again one day.
‘Goodnight my beautiful boy, we are truly heartbroken.’
A photo of Andrew was placed on top of his woven coffin, and items including sporting medals, a Liverpool jersey, a lead used to walk his dogs Marnie and Maisie, and a Kanye West vinyl were laid at the alter.
Parish priest Ciaran O’Carroll offered his heartfelt condolences to Andrew’s family and the wider St Michael’s College school community.
Father O’Carroll said Andrew possessed a ‘vibrant spirit, a kind heart, unfailing loyalty, and a sense of humour that brightened even the darkest days’.
Father Moran, chaplain of St Michael’s College, told the mass: ‘We are here for the saddest of reasons, to say farewell to Andrew, a beloved son, a beloved older brother.’
He described Andrew’s life as ‘a mosaic of so many marvellous pieces’, acknowledging his family’s ‘time of unimaginable grief’ and adding: ‘Our hearts are broken as we think of your suffering.’
Father Moran also read tributes from classmates which have been pinned to a memory wall in St Michael’s College, many of which were addressed to Mr O’Donnell’s initials ‘AJOD’.
One read: ‘Wherever you are now, you are still making me laugh and be happy – just as much as when you were here. I love you bro.’
Another said Andrew’s smile ‘never failed to light up the room’.
One school friend wrote: ‘Andrew, you were a core part of the year and your loss is like having the heart ripped out of us.’
The funeral for Mr Wall, who was also 18, was held on Monday.
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