Tributes pour after passing of 'witty and smart' Kerry teenager Luke Silles
Tributes have poured in for a 'witty and smart' teenage student in Kerry following their tragic passing.
Luke Silles, a sixth-year student at CBS The Green in Tralee, was injured during a day out with friends at Fenit Pier in Kerry last weekend.
The 18-year-old was rushed to University Hospital Kerry where he remained in critical condition, CorkBeo reports. Luke sadly passed away on Friday.
The young man's passing has led to an outpouring of support from his local community, with his home club Ballymacelligott GAA leading the tributes.
A spokesperson for the club hailed Luke as a 'witty and roguish' young man, while his teachers at CBS Tralee praised his kind nature and good humour.
The spokesperson for Ballymacelligott GAA said: "The sun set in a black cloud last evening as our community mourned the loss of our beloved Luke Silles. Luke was sporting, witty, smart and roguish. He was called early by our creator at just 18 years of age.
"His family and our club have been denied a great man. Rest in peace Luke, go marfaidh tú I measc na naomh."
Heartbroken teachers and students gathered at CBS The Green to mourn Luke's passing, with members of the National Educational Psychological Service being sent to the school to offer support to the students.
In a statement issued this afternoon, a spokesperson for the school said: "Today CBS The Green and the surrounding community are coming to terms with the passing of our student Luke Silles.
'Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his parents, Tony and Paula, his brother and sister, Oran and Aimee, his extended family and large circle of friends. No words can capture our sense of loss and pain at this time. Our hearts are broken," they told Radio Kerry.
"Luke was a very popular student at The Green and was highly regarded by both staff and students. He was kind, gentle, thoughtful, good-humoured, cared deeply for all and engaged positively with everyone. He had a kind word and a smile for all he met.
"He loved sport and representing our school. He played football for The Green and was part of the team that won the Br. Taft competition in 2022. In the same year, he was part of the soccer team that won the U-15 Kingdom Cup. Luke was preparing for his Leaving Certificate examination alongside his classmates and always showed gratitude for the guidance given.
"Luke Silles encapsulated the spirit of The Green. The loss of Luke is deeply felt by all who knew him, but he will be remembered for the light he brought to our lives."
Young Luke is survived by his loving parents, Tony and Paula, his siblings, Oran and Aimee, as well as a huge circle of friends and extended family. His funeral details will be announced in due course. May he rest in peace.
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Tragic Donegal drowning victim remembered for smiling face and generous heart
Matt Sibanda, 18, was laid to rest following his funeral mass at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) A young man who died in a double-drowning tragedy off the Co Donegal coast has been remembered for his quiet but sociable presence, smiling face and ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. Matt Sibanda, 18, was laid to rest following his funeral mass at St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana today. He was due to begin sitting his Leaving Certificate exams in the coming days at Crana College in Buncrana. 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Included among the traveling group was Matt's beloved grandmother Josephine. The remains of Matt Sibanda being carried out of St Mary's Oratory in Buncrana. (North West Newspix) News in 90 Seconds - May 31st Earlier this week, Matt's family traveled to the scene of the tragedy to see where their beloved son, brother and grandson died. A small ritual took place at the pier which was overseen by Matt's grandmother in her role as head of the family so they could release his soul and allow him to go to heaven. A large crowd attended today's funeral to say a final farewell to the young man who had carved out a special place in the heart of the local community despite his short time there. As well as Matt's beloved mother Bonnie, his brother Thembalethu and sisters Modest and Sandy, were present to say a final farewell to the young man who have played such a huge part in all their lives. Before Matt's mass began, a member of Matt's family thanked the local community for their support and friendship for the family since Matt's tragic passing. Fr Francis Bradley, parish priest, said Matt was undeniably wise and good beyond his years. He said "From his earliest days in Zimbabwe through to his time here in Buncrana, Matt has always been recognised for his quiet but sociable presence, his smiling face and his ability to always listen and respond with a deeply respectful and generous heart. "In the Old HSE Building which became his home since his arrival here in late 2023, Matt was the eldest child, and with his great gifts and talents, particularly the respect he showed to everyone but most especially to his mother, he became a natural leader – a first among equals. "He was undeniably wise and good beyond his years with an ability to sit with other children reading, debating and learning with great enthusiasm, always curious to know a little more. "His surname, Sibanda, means 'Lion'. Our new Pope has taken the name Leo, which also means 'Lion'. Pope Leo and Matt Sibanda shared something important in common – their ability to listen to all sides of the debate, never judging, but helping all sides to reach a better solution. "All of this stemmed from his profound respect for his mother. He always listened to her and he never ever spoke back to her even once throughout his eighteen years. A man of few words, a good and kind boy, a humble kid who would play with the other children, always looking out for his sister Sandy. "He adored her, and she him. He would watch her when his Mam was working; he taught her to ride a bike; he would play piggy back with her and chase her after school – always kind and happy. "He had the perfect balance in life, for he loved food, healthy food, and loved exercising, lifting weights; ironically, he was a powerful swimmer." Fr Bradley added that while the world is now moving on from the terrible tragedy of May 10th, the local community in Buncrana and Donegal is still coming to terms with it. He added "While some distance has been drawn now from those terrible moments, the loss of Matt and Emmanuel is still an open wound, a sore blow for all of us, but most especially for his grieving family. "We are all struggling still to come to terms with the loss, still speechless at the suddenness of it, still heartbroken at the enormity of it. While the world has moved on in some respects, we are nevertheless still numbed by the sadness of what happened. "For these reasons and more we feel the need to reach out in hope to one another and to God in a search for peace more than answers, and for the healing consolation which can only ever come from the heart of God alone." Among those present to support Matt's family was Commandant Joe Glennon, Aide de Camp to An Taoiseach, representing Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, Kate Gillen of IPAS, CEO of the Donegal Education Training Board Anne McHugh as well as various public representatives. Many of Matt's teachers and fellow pupils from Crana College as well as Principal Mr Kevin Cooley were also present. A huge bloom of white flowers reading Matt's name lay at the foot of the altar accompanied by a photo montage of Matt and a football made from flowers to reflect Matt's love of the game. As well as traditional hymns, songs from Matt's native Zimbabwe filled St Mary's Oratory as both communities came together to remember a fine young man taken too soon. Matt's heartbroken family led his white coffin out of St Mary's church to the haunting sounds of 'Amazing Grace' before his burial in the nearby Cockhill Cemetery. Outside, dark clouds hung over Buncrana on the last day of May as a town which has seen more than its fair share of tragedies, closed the page on another sad chapter.
