Mayo island community mourns tragic death of schoolboy

AN island community is in mourning following the death in a road accident early today (Sunday) of a 13-year-old schoolboy.

Morgan Pinder, Gurteen, Clare Island, is believed to have died instantly in the single vehicle crash near his home.

The car overturned after hitting a ditch.

The road where the accident occurred is little travelled. The alarm was raised shortly after 1 a.m. when passersby spotted the damaged vehicle.

The youngest of a family of four, Morgan is survived by his parents, Tom and Maureen, and three brothers, Christian, Dylan and Jack.

He is also survived by his grandparents, Margaret and Tom :Pinder.

Clare Island (pop approximately 160) has been plunged into grief by the tragedy.

One shocked resident said today: “The August Bank Holiday weekend is normmally one of the happiest and busiest times of the year for us.

“Now all we are thinking of is the pain of the bereaved family and the sadness of the funeral that is to come," he added.

Morgan Pinder's remains were returned to the island this evening following a post-mortem examination at Mayo University Hospital. Castlebar.

The remains will repose in the Pinder family home from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m tomorrow (Monday).

Burial will take place in the island cemetery on Tuesday following Requiem Mass at 1 p.m. in the local Church of the Sacred Heart.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.