Popular teenager's sudden death shocks Tubberclair community

The entire community of Tubberclair came to a standstill on Monday last as huge crowds congregated to say farewell to a popular local teenager who died suddenly over the weekend. The sudden passing of 16-year-old Karl Ashe of Lissahillion, Glasson, at his home on Saturday has resulted in widespread shock and sadness in the area, as locals attempt to come to terms with the loss of the popular sportsman. A past pupil of St Clare's NS Tubberclair, the youngster, had spent the first two years of his post-primary education at the Marist College in Athlone, before moving on to Blackrock College in Dublin where he was a boarder. The eldest of four, Karl had just begun transition year at the school. Karl Ashe is survived by his parents Patrick and Kathryn, sister Hannah, brothers Robert and John, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and his many friends from the Marist College, Athlone and Blackrock College in Dublin. In what many observed to be the biggest funeral locally in recent memory, particularly, in relation to the huge numbers of young people who attended, Karl's popularity among his peers was clear from the massive attendance of young people at his concelebrated funeral mass on Monday morning and at the wake at his home the previous night. Five buses travelled from Dublin for the funeral and the Blackrock College choir sang during the emotional mass. Parish Priest in Tubberclair Fr Seamus Mulvany said this week that everyone was shocked by the sudden death of the teenager, whom he described as a "wonderful, loyal lad" and an excellent sportsman. He said his heart and that of the community goes out to the family at this very difficult time, but he said they must have been comforted by the support and strength from the huge numbers of young people who attended the funeral and their excellent conduct throughout. "He drew out the best out of the young people," the priest reflected at a time when there are no answers. A keen sportsman, Karl, played football, rugby, hurling and sailing to great distinction locally and in Blackrock College. In fact, he had played football with Tubberclair GAA on Friday evening last with the local under 16 team. Chairman of Tubberclair GAA Michael Fagan said the club and the parish of Tubberclair was deeply shocked on Saturday on hearing of the tragic death of young Karl Ashe. "Those of us who watched him giving his all for our under 16's on Friday evening against Athlone could not envisage that he would be struck down so tragically within 24 hours. Karl was an outstanding sportsman, I think there wasn't a sport he didn't play but I think playing football with Tubberclair was something he always looked forward to, in fact, his grandmother said he was so looking forward to coming home last weekend to play with Tubberclair." "From all in the club we send the deepest sympathy to Paddy, Cathy, Robert, Hannah and John and all relations and we ask all to remember them in their prayers. We also console his many friends especially his former team mates in the club," he concluded. Meanwhile, Principal of Blackrock College in Dublin, Alan McGinty paid his own tribute to the late Karl Ashe, a student of the school since the beginning of third year, who he described as a very contented, caring young man who had settled in very well and was extremely popular with his peers. Mr McGinty said Karl was "a special young man" who would be sorely missed by all in Blackrock College, and their thoughts are now with his family and his many friends. A mass in his memory was held at the school on Tuesday and hundreds of pupils and staff came to Tubberclair and Glasson to pay their respects to Karl's family over the weekend. Earlier this year the 16-year-old had won a Leinster U-15 rugby title with the school, while he also played on the hurling team in Blackrock. Meanwhile, staff and pupils at the Marist College said they too were deeply shocked and sadden as learned of the tragic death of Karl Ashe. A pupil at the Athlone school for two years, in that time Principal Tom Blaine said he had involved himself totally in the life of the school and was extremely talented academically and athletically. Few on the rugby pitch wanted to meet Karl as he powered up the pitch, determination etched on his face. In rugby he assisted the Marist College achieve success at u/13 and u/14 Connacht level. Karl was also an outstanding Gaelic player and as always showed his leadership abilities as he performed with total determination and dedication and motivated others to do likewise. Allied to Karl's academic and sporting ability, was his outgoing character and endearing personality, school staff and pupils said this week in a statement, highlighting that his quick wit endeared him to so many. "He showed himself to be an outstanding young man who was extremely popular among his peers," the school said. The school's thoughts and sympathy are with his family. His requiem mass took place on Monday last in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tubberclair at 11am and his remains were later interred in the adjoining cemetery.