'Heartbroken' school pays tribute to 'diligent student' who died in swimming tragedy
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Heartfelt tributes have poured in for a teenage lad who tragically passed away after encountering trouble while having a swim at a well-known beach in Co Meath on Friday.
A major search effort was mounted by Gardaí and emergency squads, including the Irish Coast Guard's Rescue 116 chopper and Drogheda Coast Guard, following reports of a youth struggling in the waters off Laytown at about 6.15pm last night. Devastatingly, the young man's body was retrieved from the sea by the coastguard just past 9.15pm.
The teen was declared dead at the scene, with his body being taken to Our Lady's Hospital in Navan for a post-mortem examination. The boy has been named locally as 15-year-old Kofi Owusu, a secondary school student hailing from the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth, reports the Irish Mirror.
Kofi was a pupil at Coláiste Chú Chulainn in Dundalk and had just completed his Junior Cert exams. The school paid its respects to the boy via a heartfelt social media post on Saturday night.
A school spokesperson said: "It is with deep sadness that Coláiste Chú Chulainn and Louth and Meath Education Training Board have learned of the death of Kofi Owusu. This is a terrible tragedy for Kofi's family and friends, the Coláiste Chú Chulainn community and the local community of Dundalk who are deeply saddened by this event.
"Kofi was a very caring young man with a wide circle of friends. Kofi was also an accomplished sportsman. He was a member of the school's under 15 soccer team and represented us in the Leinster Shield final on the 19th May 2025.
"Kofi was also a member of the school's under 16 basketball team and represented us in the All-Ireland final on the 23rd January 2025. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Kofi's family and friends at this time."
Coláiste Chú Chulainn has announced that the school will be open from 11am to 1pm on Sunday for students, staff, and family who wish to come together in support and remembrance of Kofi. Speaking to RTE News, Principal Thomas Sharkey described Kofi as a "fine young man, very kind, a very caring and a very diligent student."
The young sports star, who played soccer for local side Redeemer Celtic, was honoured by the club with a heartfelt tribute on social media. The club posted a poignant photo on their Facebook page, showing two of Kofi's number 6 jerseys placed on the pitch next to a bouquet of flowers.
Accompanying the photo, the club wrote: "We are heartbroken. Closed until further notice."
Square Utd Underage, a Louth football club, also paid their respects to Kofi with a message on social media stating: "Deepest sympathy on the tragic passing of Kofi, our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. RIP Kofi Owusu."
Independent councillor Carol Lennon spoke of the tragedy, calling it "a devastating loss" for his family and friends. She said in a Facebook post: "Thinking of those who were present, those who assisted with his recovery and those for whom this will trigger emotions of their own loss."
Councillor Sharon Tolan mentioned that "a dark cloud" was looming over the local area. She said: "My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the tragic accident in Laytown. Please think long and hard before posting any commentary on any social media pages."
Gardaí have informed that they're conscious of the videos depicting the heartbreaking event doing the rounds online and are firmly advising against sharing this content through media outlets.
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