Parents and students at St Brogan’s College in Bandon have been informed of the unexpected passing of a third-year student, Rian De Brun.

The principal wrote to parents and guardians confirming the untimely death of the 15-year old student who was reported missing from the Ballineen area yesterday.

An appeal had gone out after he was last seen in the Bandon area at 4pm.

‘We are all deeply saddened and our thoughts are with Rian’s family,’ wrote the principal.

She also advised them that the next few days will be ‘difficult’ for all the students and staff at the school, and notified them that there is a support structure in place to help their children cope with this tragedy.

‘Please take some time to listen to your children and allow them to express their feelings over the next while,’ she said.

The school head also advised parents and guardians to engage, and possibly monitor, social media use because ‘young people frequently turn to social media to see what others are saying or to find out more.’

Parents seeking advice can, she added, contact the school for assistance.