"There is a gloom over Hospital"

This is a photo of 21 year old Limerick man Basil Bourke from Hospital who drowned this week in Ibiza while on holiday.Is it just us or does the shock of a young persons death only really hit us who are outside the family when we see a photo of a young happy strong man who's life was taken away so tragicly..if you know what we mean.


Below is an article from this weeks Limerick leader.

THE community of Hospital are coming to terms this week with the tragic death of 22-year-old student Brazil Bourke, who died in a drowning accident while holidaying in the Spanish resort of Ibiza.

It is believed that Mr Bourke was on a floating disco, which was cruising in Tunisian waters off the African coast when the tragedy occurred. It is believed that he may have dived off the boat and was intending to swim back to the vessel but got into difficulty.

He was holidaying with friends from County Limerick believed to be from the Hospital and Galbally areas. The tragedy occurred on the second week of the vacation.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said they are offering consular assistance to the family but are not releasing details of how the accident occurred.

An engineering student in the University of Limerick, Brazil was a native of Hospital and a past pupil of John the Baptist School in the town.

Teacher Jim O'Farrell said that Brazil was a fine student and on behalf of the school he extended his deepest sympathies to the Bourke family.

"Brazil went through the TYO programme and was a very popular student in the school. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends," he said.
Brazil was an only son and the youngest of three children and is survived by parents John and Mary and sisters Caroline and Lilian.

The family are very well-known in the area,where John is a farmer and agricultural contractor, and Mary, Defence Minister Willie O'Dea's sister, is involved in many community organisations.
The family home is in Old Town Road, Hospital a half-mile from the town.
Brazil, who was due to graduate from UL this Autumn, was very much involved in sport and played football and soccer.

Cllr Eddie Creighton said there is a cloud of gloom over Hospital as everyone is devastated by this tragic loss.

"The whole town is in shock. This just came out of the blue. Another man, Tommy Ryan, died unexpectedly from an illness this week and then Brazil, who lives just 200 yards away, was drowned while on holiday," said Cllr Creighton.
"There is a gloom over Hospital. John and Mary are a lovely couple and words can't express the way we feel, we are devastated. Brazil was very well known and was such a lovely young lad.

He did his Leaving Cert just a few years ago and was very bright. He was studying engineering and was about to start a great life and a great career," said Cllr Creighton.

Cllr John Gallahue, who knows the family and their relatives in Ballylanders very well, also extended his deepest sympathies to them.