In the last week the community of Fermanagh has been plunged into grief at the death of a bright, intelligent and talented boy about whom only praise has been spoken.

Oisin McGrath’s passing last Thursday has been met with intense sadness in Belcoo, St. Michael’s College and the wider Fermanagh community. Tributes have been paid from political and church leaders.

His funeral on Sunday was a further moving tribute to a boy who had a wealth of talent -- an able sportsman, an excellent reader, a brilliant communicator, a talented mathematician and a born leader. The imaginary letter, read out at his funeral mass by Father Séamus Quinn, that he had written to Isaac Newtown while in P5, portrayed his wonderful character and bright intellect. The wonder he demonstrated at Newton’s achievements was matched by everyone at Holywell on Sunday morning as they marvelled at the eloquence of a nine year old who had written of reading history books late into the night.

His family’s moving gesture -- to attend a service held at Magheracross Parish Church the evening of the day they had laid their only son and eldest child to rest -- is remarkable. Canon Harper, the Club Chaplain at Ballinamallard United, said he was “deeply honoured” to be joined by Oisín’s family, his fellow team-mates at Belcoo O’Rahilly’s and Father Séamus Quinn who had conducted his funeral, telling mourners that in the last couple of weeks the 13 year old had made a decision that he wanted to spend his life as a professional sportsman.

In his address, Canon Harper told the congregation: “There is nowhere that God is not.” This is the family that also decided that their son should give life to others with the donation of Oisin’s organs. What a wonderful example they are. They also extended such generosity to the family of Kieran McAree, by donating food to the search teams at the Round O.

And then the news that emerged yesterday that a body has been recovered from the Erne at the Round O. Search teams have unfailingly been looking for the missing Monaghan man Kieran McAree for the last nine weeks.

Kieran would have been 24 on Monday. He is described as having been a keen runner, a follower of Gaelic football, someone who raised thousands of euros for charity. A son who went out of his way to help others.

His family’s vigil at the waterside since he went missing before Christmas, has also been extremely moving. And the community response has been heart-warming. Every day volunteers have turned up at the Round O to offer support, help and comfort to the McArees, going out on their boats and walking the edge of the water to try to locate the missing man.

The loss of two wonderful young people is appalling. Any young life lost is the most terrible tragedy.

The humanity of the response to these two very different tragedies on our home soil has been inspiring.