The funeral of a Portlaoise teenager who tragically drowned following an accident in Spain has taken place.
19-year-old Joshua Osahon Okonkwo, from Lake Way, Kilminchy, disappeared on Saturday July 14 during a visit to the Las Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park between the provinces of Ciudad Real and Albacete.
According to Spanish police, the Guardia Civil and local fire service units of the Sepei de Albacete were called to the park at 10.30pm that evening.
His body was recovered the following day at around 3.30pm by divers and his parents flew to Spain later that day.
Josh was with a group of Spanish youngsters and volunteers taking part in a language course called Interway run by the Spanish Department of Education.
Investigators say Josh was a good swimmer and the area he was in was a popular bathing spot which was safe to use.
The young man had moved from Nigeria to Portlaoise with his family when he was aged seven and started school at St Paul’s NS.
He went on to Sacred Heart NS and then St Mary’s CBS in Portlaoise where he completed his Leaving Cert in 2017.
Josh wanted to become a doctor and had been studying a medical degree in Kiev Medical School in Ukraine.
Josh’s funeral took place in St Peter and Paul’s Church in Portlaoise on Monday with a large crowd of mourners present.
Josh’s family are well-known in Portlaoise as his mam Grace is the owner of Graceland Creche and Montessori schools in the town.
Josh is survived by his heartbroken parents Chris and Grace, his loving sister Anita, Grandparents Alice, James and Victoria and Uncle Kenneth.
May he Rest in Peace.
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