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Irish Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
'The most beautiful boy.' Teen drowning victim laid to rest in emotional funeral
The devastated family of a young teenager who tragically died in a drowning nightmare were told at his funeral that he inspired smiles and joy 'every day at school' and that he was the 'most beautiful boy'. Kofi Jackson Owusu was just 15 years old when he died at a beach in Laytown, Co Meath, last Friday, June 20. The talented student and sportsman got into difficulty in the River Nanny while enjoying a day out with his friends. Broken-hearted mourners swelled the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Dundalk, Co Louth, for the emotional service on Friday. Before the funeral Mass, his heartbroken parents Tony and Maria, plus sisters Faith and Esther, said Kofi 'will be so missed'. They and their extended family, with friends and students from his school Coláiste Chú Chulainn, as well as teammates at Redeemer Celtic, led mourners such as Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Dáil TD Ruairí Ó Murchú. RCCG pastor Alex Alajiki said 'this is a very painful period for us all' and thanked mourners for their compassion because 'it is of great comfort for the family'. Kofi's sisters Esther and Faith delivered bible readings, while Coláiste Chú Chulainn principal Thomas Sharkey narrated an emotional presentation as Kofi's schoolmates delivered gifts to the altar. Mr Sharkey said: 'Kofi loved school and school loved Kofi, everyone one of us. 'In 2022, he graduated from Redeemer Boys' National School in Dundalk. Ms Doherty sent us his education passport and we are passing it to the altar. She wrote, 'Kofi is a central figure within our class'. 'He was going to Madrid in October to learn the language and teach them how to play football and for the sunny weather, so we have sunflowers for Kofi. 'Kofi always followed the sun. Where Kofi went, the smiles followed. He brought joy and smiles every day at school. 'He came to school every day because he had discipline and because [his mother] Maria made him. He was given an award by Minister of Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, who is here today. 'We also present his No. 6 basketball jersey and his Football Association of Ireland medal.' Minister MacNeill told the family at the Mass: 'Kofi had a wonderful, far too short, very young life. 'It was my great pleasure and privilege to meet him. Many loved this very fabulous boy. 'To his family, I am so sorry for your loss. I am truly very sorry for your loss. I thought he was the most beautiful boy. 'It is wonderful to see how this whole community turned up for you to show their love for you and your son. My heart is with you in these most difficult of days.' A video was shown to mourners of a speech made during Taoiseach's questions by deputy Ó Murchú, who said in the Dáil that Kofi's tragedy highlights 'the dangers of the water'. On Friday, deputy Ó Murchú told mourners: 'We would all prefer not to be here. Kofi has impacted a huge amount of lives. "None of us know how long we're going to be here, but I would wish for all of us that we would have a life that is as full and as true as Kofi's. 'My condolences are with you and I am very sorry. You should be very very proud of Kofi. He was really, truly a great young man and we all hope that we can live a life as true as his." A tribute to Kofi, from the Blackrock area of Dundalk, was paid by Redeemer Boys' National School in Dundalk. It stated: 'At just 15, Kofi touched more lives than many do in a lifetime. We have some wonderful memories of Kofi's time with us here in RBS. 'A pupil, a friend, a leader - Kofi was much more than just a student in our school; he was a shining example of kindness, integrity, dedication and positivity.' When Kofi got into difficulty in the water last Friday, the alarm was raised at around 6.15pm when he disappeared from sight. His body was recovered later that evening from the River Nanny. Kofi had recently played in an All-Ireland basketball final and in a Leinster soccer final in his age group of under-16. An online fundraiser to cover the funeral costs reached its €11,000 target a day before the funeral with €12,953 raised by Friday afternoon. Kofi was buried at St Patrick's Cemetery in Dundalk. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Independent
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Funeral hears tragic drowning victim ‘brought joy and smiles to every student every day at school'
Kofi Jackson Owusa, the Louth teenager who drowned in a tragic incident while on a day out with friends at Laytown last Friday, was remembered as someone 'who brought joy and smiles' to his fellow students. The funeral of the 15-year old from Rockfield Court, Dundalk, heard that he had never missed a day from school at Coláiste Chú Chulainn and was a talented sportsman who had lived his short life to the full.
The Journal
26-06-2025
- General
- The Journal
Fundraiser to cover funeral costs of teenager who drowned in Co Meath hits target ahead of service
AN ONLINE FUNDRAISER to cover the funeral expenses of a teenager who drowned in Co Meath has hit its target ahead of tomorrow's service. Kofi Jackson Owusu, aged 15 and from the Blackrock area of Dundalk, Co Louth, died last Friday after getting into difficulty in the river Nanny in Laytown, Co Meath. It's understood that he had jumped into the river with a number of other children from the footbridge in Laytown when he got into difficulty in the river. The principal of Coláiste Chú Chulainn in Dundalk, Thomas Sharkey, said the school was heartbroken over the loss of Kofi. He described Kofi as 'very kind and very caring'. Advertisement Kofi had recently played in an All-Ireland basketball final and in a Leinster soccer final in his age group of under-16. He was a member of Redeemer Celtic Football Club in Dundalk and the club started a GoFundMe to support Kofi's family with funeral costs. The club described Kofi as a 'highly respectful youngster' who was a 'credit to his loving family'. The online fundraiser has surpassed its goal ahead of Kofi's funeral service tomorrow. His funeral service will take place at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk tomorrow at 1pm. Afterwards, the congregation will proceed to St. Patrick's Cemetery for burial. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Sunday World
Funeral of teen who died in Meath swimming tragedy to take place tomorrow
The 15-year-old from Dundalk died last Friday The of funeral of Dundalk teenager Kofi Owusu will take place on Friday The funeral of teenager Kofi Jackson Owusu, who died last Friday after getting into difficulty in the River Nanny, is set to be held tomorrow. The 15-year-old's body was recovered from the water three hours after the alarm was raised in Laytown, Co. Meath. Mourners will gather at the Eternity Room of Quinn's Funeral Homes, Dundalk today, Thursday, June 26th from 3pm-7pm. His funeral service will take place at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Dundalk tomorrow, Friday, June 27th at 1pm. The congregation are set to gather at Quinn's Funeral Home before proceeding on foot to the burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery. He is survived by his parents Tony and Maria, and sisters Faith and Esther. His football club, Redeemer Celtic FC set up a GoFundMe to raise money for his bereaved family. 'The untimely passing of Kofi has left so many heartbroken, and shook a community & town and further to its core,' the page reads. 'A child of fantastic talent, hugely popular with a wide circle of friends. A child whose characteristics show he was raised as a highly respectful youngster, he was a credit to his loving family.' The football club have said that there are 'no words' to ease his family's suffering, but has appealed for support at this 'heartbreaking' time andlaunched a GoFundMe to help support the boy's devastated family in the wake of the tragedy. So far 496 donors to the Kofi Jackson Owusu GoFundMe has raised €11,390 of a €11,000 goal. The teen who lived in Blackrock, Dundalk, had just finished his Junior Certificate at Coláiste Chú Chulainn earlier this month. In a statement following his death, Kofi's football club shared fond memories of the talented player arriving at the club as a young child who needed his shoe laces tied by coaches. 'A ferocious competitor every time he pulled on the Redeemer kit, and this seen us achieve unthinkable success time after time & year after year. 'Kofi was a massive part of our club, Kofi was a massive part of our lives. 'We will strive to keep Kofi's memory within the club, and with absolutely broken hearts.' The club shared a picture of two number 6 jerseys lying on the pitch alongside a bouquet of flowers, adding that the club would be 'closed until further notice'. The of funeral of Dundalk teenager Kofi Owusu will take place on Friday News in 90 Seconds - June 26th The principal of his secondary school, Principal Thomas Sharkey, said they were heartbroken at the death of the 'very caring and very diligent student.' "He's an excellent sportsman. He had just played in an All-Ireland basketball final and in a Leinster soccer final in his age group of under-16. "He finished his Junior Cert exams only 10 days ago, and his older sister was a past pupil of our school. 'Kofi and his family are in all of our thoughts.'
The Irish Sun
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Heartbroken' family of teenager killed in Meath swim tragedy confirm funeral details for boy taken ‘far too early'
THE funeral details of a teenage boy who drowned while swimming in Meath have been confirmed. Talented footballer 2 Kofi Owusu tragically drowned while swimming in Co Meath 2 Kofi had been living in the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth Credit: Coláiste Chú Chulainn His body was Kofi, who also went by the surname of Jackson, became the second teenager to lose his life in the water this week. He was from the Blackrock area of And now, the heartbroken family have confirmed his funeral details. Read more in News In a listing on the teen's family confirmed that his funeral will take place on Friday at 1pm. His death notice reads: "Kofi will be so missed by his heartbroken parents Tony and Maria, sisters Faith and Esther, the extended family, his friends including the students of Coláiste Chú Chulainn and his teammates in Redeemer Celtic, and the congregation at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk." Kofi will repose in the Eternity Room of Quinn's Funeral Homes, Dundalk from 3pm-7pm on Thursday, June 26. Requiem mass will take place on Friday, June 27 at 1pm at The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Miracle Land, Castletown Road, Dundalk. Most read in Irish News This will be followed by burial at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Kofi's requiem mass can be viewed live on RCCG Miracleland Dundalk Youtube page and funerals live link Urgent warning for Irish parents as RNLI issues major water safety advice ahead of school holidays Kofi's terrible passing prompted a deluge of tributes to his memory. Kofi's The club launched a Paying tribute to their player, Redeemer Celtic said: "A child of fantastic talent. Hugely popular with a wide circle of friends. "A child whose characteristics show he was raised as a highly respectful youngster. He was a credit to his loving family. 'HORRENDOUS TIME' "A family that have been devastated by a tragedy, and sadly we have no words to ease their suffering at this horrendous time. "This [appeal] can only help with support of the financial burden that also comes sadly at a heartbreaking times to so many. "May God Rest your gentle soul Kofi, and gift strength to your family & loved ones at this time. Rest in peace Kofi." Kofi Owusu had just finished completing his Junior Certificate in Colaiste Chu Chulainn earlier this month. 'VERY CARING YOUNG MAN' In a statement, the school described his loss as a "terrible tragedy" for his family, friends, the school community and the local and surrounding areas. A spokesperson said: "Kofi was a very caring young man with a wide circle of friends. "He was a diligent student and a regular awardee for excellent attendance. "Kofi was also an accomplished sportsman. He was a member of the school's under 15 soccer team and represented the school in the recent Leinster Shield final on the 19 of May 2025. "Kofi was also a member of the school's under 16 basketball team and represented the school in the All-Ireland final on the 23 of January 2025. "Our sympathy and thoughts are with Kofi's family and friends at this time." 'A CREDIT TO YOU' Tributes have poured in from across the country for the young teenager. One person said: "We were neighbours in Limerick and remember fondly the children playing with their pals and the sheer youthful joy they brought. "Kofi was a credit to you. May your many memories be a blessing." Another said: "Kofi was a beautiful young soul taken far too early. "He had manners of a saint and a smile that would brighten any room. May his love get you through this unimaginable pain."
