A PALPABLE sense of shock and grief hung over Gorey this week, with the news of the tragic death of a 14year-old Gorey Community School student.

Counsellors were made available to students at the school on Monday, after they were informed that Junior Cert student Michaela McGrath, inset, of Creagh Woods, Gorey, had died in deeply tragic circumstances in Courtown at the weekend. School authorities had been informed of the sad news on Sunday night.

Principal Michael Finn said that the loss of Michaela was deeply felt in the school, and he expressed the sympathies of everyone at the school with her parents Eileen McGrath and Eddie Loveridge and her brother Edward, who is in third year at the school. Michaela moved with her family to Gorey from the Bray area several years ago.

Michael Finn remembered a very creative and kind student. 'She was very bright, very creative, and very gentle,' he said. 'She was very mature in so many ways, almost like a free spirit.' He said that she shone in subjects such as english, poetry, and art.

In 2008, Michaela was named as one of the merit award winners in the 12-13 years category of the national Texaco children's art competition. She was also involved in the Green School's programme at the school, and was very supportive of environmental issues.

Her grief-stricken friends at the school were given the option of returning home with their parents on Monday, while others chose to remain at the school, where they provided support to each other. A Counsellor from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) also attended the school to provide support to the students.

'The school is very quiet today. Even in a building with over 1,600 pupils, you notice how sombre the mood is,' said Mr. Finn. 'People are very shocked. All we can do is try and be there for her friends and her family.' He said that students, staff and representatives of the Board of Management will be in attendance at Michaela's funeral mass on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. in St. Michael's Church, while a prayer service will also be held in the school.