A DONEGAL Gaeltacht
college has had to re-house nine young students
including several from Inishowen after the sudden
death of a former 'fear an tí'.
Management at Coláiste Bhríde in Ranafast yesterday
said the children, aged between 13 and 15, had been
re-accommodated with a new family and would continue
their studies.
The incident happened in the early hours of last
Wednesday at a house in Ranafast, in the west
Donegal Gaeltacht. Foul play is not suspected.
The man who died was separated and lived in a house
some 60 yards away from his wife who was 'bean an tí'
where the children were staying.
Coláiste Bhride secretary, Niall Ó Slúain, yesterday
offered his condolences to the bereaved family who
have a long association with the college.
Mr Ó Slúain said the parents had been informed of
all aspects of the incident and had agreed to allow
the nine children remain in the Gaeltacht.
"We have been in touch with all the parents involved
and they are happy with the steps we have taken,” he
said.
"It was necessary to break the children into two
groups for one night until new arrangements were put
in place. But they are now all together again as a
group in the one house," added Mr Ó Slúain. "They
were initially distraught but their feelings were
for the Bean an Tí, the woman of the house, to whom
they were very attached. We are now of the opinion
that they are well settled again.” Classes will
resume as normal for the nine children this morning.
There are currently 230 students attending classes
at Coláiste Bhríde with a total of some 800 expected
over the summer months. The deceased man was laid to
rest in nearby Annagry on Saturday. Some older
Coláiste Bhríde students attended the funeral while
the college also held a private prayer service that
evening. |