Gardai are in Greece to investigate deaths of Max Wall and Andrew O'Donnell

Two members of the Gardaí have been sent to Ios to assist Greek police with investigating the deaths of two Irish teenagers.

The deaths 18-year-olds Max Wall and Andrew O’Donnell both occurred within the same 24 hours over the weekend.

Reports suggest that O’Donnell died following a fall on his way home from a night out.

Wall, who was assisting in the search for his classmate, collapsed at the island's port shortly after O’Donnell’s body was found on Sunday morning. Wall is said to have had previous health issues with his heart.

Along with aiding in the investigations, Gardaí will be helping to liaise with Irish officials and family members. A representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs is on the ground performing similar duties.

Postmortems are expected in Athens today before the bodies can be repatriated in the following days.

The deceased were amongst a group of up to 90 students from St Michael’s College in South Dublin celebrating their Leaving Certificate exams with a holiday on the Greek island.

"We are heartbroken," said Tim Kelleher, principal of St Michael's College. " These are two fantastic young men with their lives ahead of them," he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland. "Both families got the news that their future had been taken from them and we’re obviously devastated for them."

Tributes have continued to pour out following the tragedies. Tánaiste Micheál Martin offered his sympathies to the grieving families on social media.

My deepest sympathies to the families of Andrew O’Donnell and Max Wall on the very sad loss of their beloved sons.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of the St. Michael’s College community, their friends and classmates. (1/2)

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) July 3, 2023

The Ireland under-20 rugby team announced that they will wear black armbands a during their match against Fiji today in memory of the boys, who were both said to be talented athletes.

Mr Kelleher has opened a book of condolences at St Michael’s College, where flowers are continuing to be laid by those offering their support to the families involved.

Masses will take place over the next few days at the school for current students impacted by the tragic death of their classmates.