The head of Student Affairs at Cork Institute of Technology Dr Dan Collins has said there is a “huge sense of loss and sadness” at the passing of much loved first year student Jack Downey.
Jack, 19, from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, was hospitalised over the weekend after taking a substance at the popular Indiependence music festival in Mitchelstown, Co Cork.
He went in to the medical centre at the festival on Friday night amid complaints of feeling unwell.
He was transferred to Cork University Hospital where he died yesterday.
Dr Collins told Cork’s 96FM that Jack was “vivacious and outgoing.”
“He was an enthusiastic young lad. He loved life. He loved living. Involved in sport. Very popular – not just among his peers in the classroom but he was involved in extra curricular activities here in the institute. Just a lovely young energetic talented lad. “I spoke to his mum yesterday evening. Naturally enough they are devastated and we extend our sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers with his parents, family and friends.
“Naturally enough they are dealing with the loss of their son and it is a difficult time. They are aware of the great support that people are offering to them at this time.”
Counselling services are available to impacted students. They are asked to contact the Institute with any concerns.
Dr Collins says when students return to campus next month the loss will fully hit them.
“Jack had successfully completed his first year and was due to return in September. When they return to campus we will meet them.
“We will be bringing across to them again to avail of the supports on campus. ”
Dr Collins is stressing the dangers of drug use to students, saying it was important for friends to look out for one another.
“That is most important. That if they become aware that a friend has become unwell that there is an issue.
Meanwhile, the sister of a teenage boy who died after taking the synthetic “N Bomb” drug has urged people to reflect following the death of Jack.
Alex Ryan, of Liscahane in Millstreet, Co Cork died on January 23 2016 after consuming a synthetic drug of the 2C family called 251 NBOMe known as N Bomb at a house party in the city.
Three people were charged and received suspended sentences in relation to his death.
Nicole Ryan has campaigned to create better awareness on the dangers of drugs since the passing of her eighteen year old brother. Nicole says while the majority of us were out enjoying the bank holiday weekend, two parents received a call that every single parent fears.
“They spent the weekend sitting in the ICU beside their boys bedside hoping and praying that he would wake up and get better, everyone prayed and everyone hoped.
“Unfortunately this was sadly not the case and in the space of 3 days a beautiful life was gone, Jack was gone.
“While the circumstances surrounding his death are not yet fully know, a substance was involved. Like so many others who attended the festival I am certain Jack was not the only one who may have ingested a substance but sadly he was the only one to pay the ultimate price.
“To the people that judge and sit on their pillar of gold – reserve your judgement and think of his family and his friends at this time.
“What they have been lunged into is a situation I would not wish on my worst enemy or anybody at all for that matter. ”
Nicole says Jack was young, smart, loving and had a bright future ahead of him and all that was taken away in one split decision.
“Reserve your judgement and if you must judge then judge our drug education system.
A system that is flawed, that uses scare tactics and nonfactual information, a system that is heavily reliant on just teacher who are overworked already to educate young people on substances.
We are all at fault here.
“If you cannot empathize then at least sympathies with Jack and his loved ones as this can happen to anybody at absolutely anytime. ”
Ms Ryan has visited dozens of schools around the country since the death of her brother to speak to students and to raise awareness of the dangers of synthetic drugs.
