A SCHOOL principal has described a Co Tyrone teenager found dead after going missing at the weekend as "full of potential".
The circumstances surrounding the death of a 15-year-old Matthew McCallan have been described as "unexplained" by police.
A major search operation was launched for the Dungannon teenager after he was last seen at a country music event in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, at around 1.20am on Sunday.
A body, believed to be Matthew, was found in a ditch in the laneway of a property around two miles from the venue at around 11.45am yesterday.
Police last night said they are "keeping and open mind" and have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
The teenager had been reported missing at around 3.30am on Sunday after failing to return home.
It is understood the teen was attending the Jamboree Winter Wonderland country music festival.
A large volunteer search operation was launched after it emerged he was missing.
Speaking to the media a short time before his body was found Matthew's emotional mother Frances told of "feeling numb" as the search for the teenager continued and praised the efforts of those involved.
From a family with strong GAA links, Matthew had played underage football with the Dungannon Thomas Clarke's GAA club.
His father Peter, who is originally from Carrickmore, is well-known on the strongman circuit and is a former competitor.
His mother Frances is originally from Edendork, outside Dungannon, and her family also has strong connections with the local GAA club there.
Matthew was a Year 12 pupil at St Patrick's College in Dungannon and teachers from the school, including principal Catherine McHugh, helped in the search over the weekend.
Ms McHugh last night described Matthew as "quiet boy still growing into his own skin".
"He had a real slow smile and it just spread and lit up his whole face and he had a real twinkle in his eye then," she said.
Ms McHugh said her former pupil was "very much into the practical subjects" and was eager to make his mark.
"And he was really looking forward to getting out into the world of work, he loved the workshop up in the technology area and his daddy had bought him a tool box for Christmas and he would have loved that," she said.
"He was only just starting out on his journey and he had so much potential."
Ms McHugh said the school community is stunned by Matthew's death.
"Everybody here is just really devastated, it's the worst possible outcome...right up to that news came in we were hopeful that maybe things could have worked out and there's be an explanation and he would be going home to his mammy and daddy," she said.
The head teacher said support will be offered to other children at the school.
She said that the school's critical incident management team will be available today along with the chaplain and counselling services.
Ms McHugh said school authorities "will be hoping to point the children in the right direction to receive the support, the emotional support, they are going to need".
"And that kind of emotional first aid at this stage because it's a big thing for them to process, a young person their age," she added.
Mid Ulster independent councillor Barry Monteith was also involved in the search for Matthew.
"Sadly once again the town has had another tragedy," he said.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Frances and Peter and his family and friends and we will support them the best we can in the weeks and months ahead."
Mr Monteith also acknowledged the community effort to help find Matthew.
"I would like to pay tribute to the wonderful community effort, particularly the folk from Fintona and those who came from far and wide to help," he said.