A teenage boy from Corofin Co. Galway has died tragically in Munich.
Jack McHugh, 16, got into difficulty whilst swimming in a lake in the German city last Monday, July 18 with friends while visiting the city.
He was being treated in a Munich hospital where he died yesterday.
The teen had been on holiday with two friends in the Bavarian capital after sitting their Junior Certificate exams in June at St. Jarlath's College in Tuam.
The eldest son of Declan and Mary McHugh, he had been visiting his uncle, Richard McHugh, who owns a pub on the German-Austrian border when the tragic accident occurred.
Speaking to The Tuam Herald, Galway Councillor Tom McHugh, Jack's uncle, said the family were trying to come to terms with the loss of the popular young man.
He completed his Junior Cert at St Jarlath’s College, Tuam, in June and was actively involved in football with the school and Corofin. He also played hurling with Sylane.
Jack was swimming with two friends from Corofin who travelled to Germany with him when he got into difficulty. The authorities recovered him from the water quickly and the doctors treating him tried very hard to save his life but by Monday of this week it became apparent that there was irreparable damage to his organs and he passed away at midday [Tuesday].
Jack is survived by his mother Mary, father Declan, and two younger sisters.
A special mass had been held in Corofin last week to pray for his recovery.
The family are making arrangements to bring Jack's remains home after a post mortem examination is completed in the coming days.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed they are providing consular assistance to the McHugh family.
