Tributes paid to AIT student killed in tragic accident

The 18-year-old student who died after a tragic accident in Athlone yesterday will be laid to rest on Friday following a funeral Mass in his native Tullamore. 

Jordan Murphy has been described as a very bright and outgoing young man who was respected and loved by his fellow classmates and staff at Athlone IT. 

The accident occured when he was struck by a van at the entrance to the Valleycourt housing estate on Athlone's Dublin Road at around 9.20am on Tuesday. 

He was rushed to hospital in Tullamore but was later pronounced dead. 

Jordan is survived by his heartbroken parents, Alan and Siobhan, brothers Jonathon and A.J, sister Rebecca, step parents John and Caroleen, his loving girlfriend Aoife, grandparents John Molloy, Andy and Ann Murphy, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and many friends.

Athlone IT chaplain Fr Shay Casey said there was a tremendous sense of shock and sadness on campus in the aftermath of the tragedy.  

"The students are all terribly upset," said Fr Shay. 

He described Jordan as a "very bright student" and a young man who was "full of life". 

"The staff all knew him well and regarded him as a cheerful and outgoing person," he said. 

"He also gave back to the college. He was a second year student and was part of a group that mentors and looks after the new first years coming in. So just last week he was involved in helping some of the freshers to get settled at AIT."

Jordan is being remembered at a Mass on campus at 1pm today and Fr Shay will be one of the concelebrants at the funeral Mass in Tullamore on Friday. 

The president of AIT, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, also paid tribute to Jordan. 

"Jordan Murphy was a wonderful, dedicated and personable student who was very much loved and respected by his fellow classmates, our academic faculty and the wider AIT community, all of whom are devastated by his loss," he said. 

"We would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this very difficult time.

"The news shocked and saddened all at the institute and especially his classmates who held him in great regard."

Prof. Ó Catháin said supports had been put in place to help Jordan's classmates during this very difficult time. 

The AIT Students' Union said Liverpool Football Club was one of Jordan's great passions and his family has requested that as many people as possible wear Liverpool jerseys to the funeral. 

Jordan's remains will be reposing at O'Reilly's Funeral Home, Harbour Street, Tullamore tomorrow (Thursday) from 4pm until Rosary that night at 8pm.

The funeral Mass will take place on Friday morning at 10am in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, with burial afterwards in Clonminch Cemetery, Tullamore.

May he rest in peace.