15 hours ago
School leads heartbreaking tributes to 'caring' teen who died while swimming
Emotional tributes have been paid to a teenage boy who died after getting into difficulty while swimming at a popular beach in Co Meath on Friday.
Gardaí and emergency services – including the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 116 helicopter and Drogheda Coast Guard – launched a search operation following reports of a male in difficulty in the water at Laytown at 6.15pm yesterday evening.
Tragically, the young man's body was recovered from water by the coastguard shortly after 9.15pm.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and his remains were removed to Our Lady's Hospital in Navan where a post mortem will take place.
The young man has since been named locally as 15-year-old Kofi Owusu, a secondary school student from the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth.
Kofi had recently finished his Junior Cert exams at Coláiste Chú Chulainn in Dundalk, with the school paying tribute to the tragic youngster in a statement shared on social media on Saturday evening.
"It is with deep sadness that Coláiste Chú Chulainn and Louth and Meath Education Training Board have learned of the death of Kofi Owusu," a spokesperson for the school said.
"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 announced that the school will open from 11am to 1pm on Sunday to allow for students, staff and family who wish to meet to support one another, and remember Kofi.
Speaking to RTE News, Principal Thomas Sharkey described Kofi was a 'fine young man, very kind, a very caring and a very diligent student.'
The teenager was a talented athlete who played soccer for local side Redeemer Celtic, with the club paying a touching tribute to Kofi on social media.
Redeemer Celtic shared an image to their Facebook page showing two of Kofi's number 6 jerseys laid down on their pitch alongside a bouquet of flowers.
Alongside the image, the club wrote: 'We are heartbroken. Closed until further notice.'
Louth football club Square Utd Underage also paid tribute to Kofi as they shared a message on social media which read: "Deepest sympathy on the tragic passing of Kofi, our thoughts and prayers are will you all at this sad time. RIP Kofi Owusu."
Meanwhile, Independent councillor Carol Lennon said it was "a devastating loss" for his family and friends.
"Thinking of those who were present, those who assisted with his recovery and those for whom this will trigger emotions of their own loss," she said in a Facebook post.
Councillor Sharon Tolan said "a dark cloud" was hanging over the community.
"My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the tragic accident in Laytown," she said on Facebook.
"Please think long and hard before posting any commentary on any social media pages."
Gardaí say they are aware of videos of the tragic incident that are currently in circulation and are requesting footage and imagery not to be shared by media.
