Tributes paid following sudden death of County Derry schoolboy

Tributes have been paid following the sudden death of a County Derry schoolboy.

Peter Bell, a Year 11 student at St Pius X College in Magherafelt, passed away on Saturday, August 30.

A death notice described the teenager as the ‘beloved son of Declan and Ursula and loving brother of Leona, Feargal, Priscilla, Martin, Joanne, Patrick and the late Teagan-Rose’.

Peter, who lived in Magherafelt and previously in Moneymore, will be laid to rest on Wednesday (September 3) following 11am Requiem Mass in the Church of St. John and St. Trea in Moneymore.

Peter Friel, Principal of St Pius X, stated that pupils at the school are currently being provided with support following the student’s death.

In a statement, he described Peter as ‘a sensitive, caring and kind young man’.

“It was with profound sadness that we learned of the sudden death of our Year 11 pupil, Peter Bell,” said Mr Friel.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Peter’s parents, siblings and extended family during this incredibly difficult time.

“Peter was a sensitive, caring and kind young man who will be sorely missed by all in the St. Pius X family.

“Peter had a deep love for music, art and the Irish language, and had recently achieved success in GCSE Irish.

“His friends, classmates and all St Pius X College staff are heartbroken by this sudden loss.

“Support is being provided by the Education Authority Critical Incident Response Service and our own Pastoral Team.

“We are grateful for the care and compassion being extended to both students and staff at this time.

“May Peter’s gentle soul rest in heavenly peace. Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí ar anam Pheadair.”

Peter was a former underage player with Henry Joy McCracken’s Moneymore GAC and last night the club also paid tribute.

“The committee, players and members of Henry Joy McCracken’s GAC, Moneymore are saddened to learn of the passing of our former underage player Peter Justin Bell, beloved son of Declan and Ursula and loving brother of Leona, Feargal, Priscilla, Martin, Joanne, Patrick and the late Teagan-Rose.

“We wish to take this opportunity to pass on our heartfelt sympathy to the Bell and McGuckin families at this very sad time.”