GRIEF AT DEATH OF LAURA ( 15) AT CRETE HOTEL

GREYSTONES STUDENT (15) WAS KIND, BRIGHT AND ‘FULL OF FUN’

THERE IS grief across Greystones this week at the news of the death of Laura Dempsey (15) in Crete.

Laura had just completed her Junior Cert at Temple Carrig secondary school and was on holiday with her parents Noel and Nicky. They raised the alarm on Sunday afternoon. Laura was found in a hotel pool and despite the efforts of emergency services she could not be revived.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to her parents.

THE community of Greystones is shocked and saddened at the death of Laura Dempsey (15) last Sunday in Stalida, Crete.

Laura, a pupil of Temple Carrig Secondary School, was on holidays there with her parents Noel Dempsey and Nicky Smith.

‘Along with the whole Greystones Community, we were shocked and devastated to hear of the sudden passing of one of our students, Laura Dempsey,’ said Temple Carrig school principal Alan Cox in a statement.

‘Laura had just completed her Junior Certificate exams and was a model student – bright, full of fun and involved in many school activities. She was extremely popular in the school and will be greatly missed by many because she was such a good, kind and loyal friend. We are liaising with her family and they ask for privacy at this very difficult time.

‘Our love, condolences, thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this awfully sad time.’

Canon David Mungavin of St Patrick’s Church said that Laura was ‘a caring, popular girl, who is known and loved in our community of Greystones.’

‘We are devastated to hear the news of the sudden, tragic death of Laura Dempsey,’ he said. He said that a large gathering of staff, students and friends gathered at Temple Carrig school on Monday evening to pray, comfort each other, and share a great sense of grief and loss.

‘A time of prayer and support was also shared in the classes of St Patrick’s National School, where Laura was a former pupil, as we try to come to terms with this very sad news,’ said Canon Mungavin.

‘Our hearts go out to Laura’s parents Nicky and John, her grandparents Canon Raymond and Audrey and all the family. No words can express the sadness we feel - in God we trust.’

Laura was a junior member of Greystones Sailing Club. ‘Everyone is shocked, it’s not the kind of news anyone expects’ said club commander Daragh Cafferky. ‘She was a keen sailor and an active and valued member of our junior community.’

Mr Cafferky said that this was particularly upsetting for the children in the club.

‘Laura was a lovely girl who was so warm and a popular member of our community.’

The club will go ahead with sailing today ( Wednesday), ‘ to both recognise the great pleasure Laura got from sailing and to allow the membership to gather as a community and support each other in such sad times.’

‘A bright light has been extinguished ant it’s beyond words to express the grief we all feel for our friends Nicky and John,’ said the club in a message to its members. ‘I know you all share with us in expressing our deep, deep sympathy to all her family and friends.’

Family members have travelled to Greece to support Laura’s parents.

‘It’s an absolutely tragic event,’ said Catahoirleach of Greystones Municipal District, Cllr Jennifer Whitmore.

‘My thoughts are with Laura’s family and friends. It’s a shock to the community and a very, very sad time for them. When Laura’s parents come home they will need support, and Greystones is a great community for that.’

According to local media outlet Cretapost, Laura was found in a hotel pool at around 2.30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Paramedics and a doctor tried in vain to revive her.

Her remains were removed to hospital with a post-mortem examination to be carried out.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to her family.