Heartbreak at death of teenager 

HEARTBROKEN staff and students will gather at Scoil Chríost Rí in Portlaoise this Wednesday to mourn much-loved teenager Emily Ellen Culhane.

Aged only 16, the transition year student died unexpectedly at Beaumont Hospital on Sunday, surrounded by her loving family who are devastated by her loss.

From Boley, Abbeyleix, Emily died following a short illness and is deeply mourned by her parents Seán and Bernie, brother Sam, extended family, friends and fellow students.

Scoil Chríost Rí, which is currently closed due to the severe weather, has implemented its Critical Incident Management Plan following what school management described as ‘a terrible tragedy’.

National Educational Psychological Service(NEPS) staff will attend the school on Wednesday morning, to provide professional support for Emily’s grieving schoolmates.

School management said: ‘We learned this morning of the death of Emily Culhane after a brief illness. This is a terrible tragedy for the Culhane family, our school and our community. We are deeply saddened by these events.

‘Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Culhane family and Emily's friends. Emily was a Transition Year student and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a great personality and brilliant performer.

‘We have been in contact with her parents, and they are very appreciative of the kind offers of support from Emily's friends.

‘Our school has implemented our Critical Incident Management Plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) will be with us Wednesday morning to support everyone affected by this tragedy. Teachers will be helping your daughter with coming to terms with the loss of Emily when they return to school.’ 

The school added: ‘May Emily Rest in Peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this time.’ 

Emily’s unexpected passing has caused immense shock and sadness in Abbeyleix and surrounding areas, with countless tributes to the popular teenager on social media. She was a member of Ballyroan Ladies Football Club, which said:

‘With great sadness we heard yesterday of the untimely passing of Emily Culhane, after a short illness. Emily was a fun loving member of our club and we are thinking of her heartbroken family and friends at this devastating time. Rest in Peace, Emily.’ 

Club members also paid tribute to Emily, who is remembered as a sweet, polite, happy girl who was a pleasure to know and to coach.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later for Emily, who lived with her family at The Birches, Lower Boley, Abbeyleix.