A CO Tyrone community has been left devastated by the sudden death of a teenage schoolboy who was found dead in bed.
Tributes were paid on Thursday night to Daryl Comac (16), a talented GAA player and pupil at St Patrick's Academy in Dungannon.
It is understood the alarm was raised after his mother Mairéad tried to wake him for school on Thursday morning at their home in the Carland Road.
The PSNI have said the death is not being treated as suspicious and that a post mortem will take place later on Friday in a bid to find out how the teenager died.
With a love of Gaelic games Daryl had previously played hurling and football for his school where he was in Year 12 and studying for his GCSEs.
He also played football for St Mary’s GAC, Killyman, near Dungannon, at underage level and represented his club in this year’s under-16 league and championship finals.
Former manager and the club’s youth officer Enda McGahan paid tribute to the teenager.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” he said. “It’s not something we have dealt with before. It’s collective shock for everybody.”
Mr McGahan said the teenager was introduced to the club by his classmates at St Patrick's Academy.
“They got him out to play and he fitted in like a glove,” he said.
In a statement on Thursday night St Patrick's Academy paid tribute to their Year 12 pupil.
“The entire school community is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Daryl,” it said.
“He was a promising student and fondly remembered by his many friends and his teachers.
“His sudden death has been a shock to all of us and we have been most appreciative of the support of our school chaplain and our counsellor who have provided great comfort and guidance at this time.”
The school said the thoughts of everyone was with his family.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Daryl’s family and pray that they can take comfort from the many fine qualities that he had and the joy and friendship that he gave in his short life,” it said.
Independent Mid Ulster councillor Barry Monteith, who knows the Comac family, spoke of the shock felt by the local community.
“It’s a horrific thing for any family to wake up to,” he said.
“Everybody is struggling to find words and our hearts go out to them.”
