Body of teenager who died in Majorca is flown back home

THE BODY of a teenager who became ill and died while on holidays at a Spanish resort with 12 friends was flown back to Ireland yesterday.

Michael McDonald (19), from Beechmount in Riverstown, Tramore, died after falling ill in the Majorcan holiday resort of Santa Ponsa on August 4th.

A postmortem examination by State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, was due to be carried out last night.

It was initially suspected that Mr McDonald, known as "Mikey" to his friends, died from meningitis. As a precaution, Mr McDonald's companions were examined by medical professionals at Santa Ponsa.

However, tests for the condition proved negative and a postmortem by the Spanish authorities later revealed that Mr McDonald had died as a result of septicaemia, brought on by a burst liver abscess.

An only son, Mr McDonald lived with his mother Peggy at their Tramore home.

Mr McDonald's page on social networking website Bebo has been inundated with messages since his death last week.

His remains will be removed tonight from a funeral home in the city and taken to the Holy Cross Church in Tramore.

It is understood that pupils from Tramore CBS, Michael's school until last year, will provide a guard of honour at the church.

Mr McDonald will be laid to rest at St Patrick's Cemetery in Tramore tomorrow, following Mass at the Holy Cross Church.