AIT in shock at tragic death of student at Mayo cliff site

The President of Athlone Institute of Technology has expressed his sympathy and that of the entire college community to the family of student Nigel McNamara who died in a tragic road accident on Achill Island on Monday. Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said that he was shocked and deeply saddened at the news of Nigel McNamara's death. The 19-year-old, who had only graduated from AIT on Thursday last, died after the van he was driving left the road leading to Keem Bay and plunged down a cliff in the early hours of Monday morning. Gardaí are carrying out a full investigation of the accident. Originally from Pollagh, Keel, Achill, Nigel was in Athlone only last Thursday to receive his graduation parchment for the two-year Higher Certificate in Financial Services course. His sister graduated the following day. Nigel was continuing his studies in AIT, where he was undertaking a degree in Business Studies. "This tragic news has shocked everyone in the institute. Over the coming days we will remember Nigel and support his classmates and all those who have been impacted by his untimely passing," Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin said this week. One of a family of eight, Nigel McNamara is survived by his parents John McNamara, a local boatman and his wife Patricia and his three brothers and four sisters. Fr Shay Casey, Chaplain in AIT described Nigel McNamara this week as a "noted character" around the college who was very popular among his peers. "He was a just happy, nice guy. He was in great form at the graduation last week. He comes from a lovely family," he said.